A former Government Press Secretary, Mr Frank Dunlop, shook public confidence in local democracy two years ago when he told the Flood Tribunal he had paid at least £160,000 to 25 councillors for changes in the Dublin County Council development plan during the period 1991/93.
Sometimes Mr Dunlop paid for councillors to be absent for critical votes. On other occasions, the arrangement was more direct. He was, in effect, the "bagman" for 14 property developers who provided him with sums amounting to £420,000 in order to secure important and hugely lucrative rezoning and planning permissions for them.
The former Fianna Fáil official is back in the witness box this week providing details of those allegations. But an important change has taken place in that Mr Dunlop is now distinguishing clearly between "political donations", that a public representative might legitimately expect at election time, and straightforward bribes given in return for planning favours. Corruption, of its nature, is secretive. Hard evidence is almost impossible to secure. Mr Dunlop has identified former Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Liam Lawlor, as the man who introduced him to the seedy side of politics and rezoning in Dublin. He himself has admitted bribing elected representatives. And he may yet pay a heavy price under the criminal law.
The picture he has painted of corruption within the Dublin planning process is both compelling and detailed. But it has been vociferously rejected by those most immediately involved. "Due process" is an important principle in any inquiry or court of law. People have a right to protect and, if possible, to vindicate their reputations before any conclusions are drawn. And Mr Justice Flood will provide those named as having sought, or received bribes, with opportunities to defend themselves. Responsibilities do not, however, end there.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and other party leaders have roles to play. Two years ago, a Fianna Fáil Committee on Standards in Public Life questioned Dublin politicians on the nature of payments made to them by property developers and their agents. Fine Gael conducted a similar exercise. Mr Liam Lawlor was found to have been unco-operative and less than consistent in his evidence by the Fianna Fáil body, but no disciplinary action was recommended. Eventually, Mr Lawlor was forced to resign. The leader of Fine Gael, Mr John Bruton, announced that those politicians who had failed to provide satisfactory answers would be denied nominations. But such disciplinary action was not sustained. Now that Mr Dunlop has given details of the circumstances surrounding the bribing of various politicians and, obviously, has much more to say, the matter is of pressing importance.
The individuals concerned should be interviewed by their parties, asked to explain any discrepancies in their earlier statements and the requisite disciplinary action taken.