RTE highlights corruption

A shocking RTÉ documentary screened last December, appeared to show three politicians, including the four time Mayor of Monaghan, Hugh McElvaney demanding money for help with planning issues.

The undercover segments of the programme showed a reporter named “Nina” claiming to represent a fake investment company called Vinst Opportunities. Nina met with three councillors to seek help investing in the wind energy sector. The three featured in the programme were Joe Queenan (Fianna Fáil) of Sligo County Council, John O’Donnell (independent) of Donegal County Council and Hugh McElvaney (Fine Gael) of Monaghan County Council.

During their initial phone call McElvaney is heard to ask Nina, “what’s in it for me?” and when she informs him that she is coming to Ireland he tells her to have “plenty of Sterling with you. Ten grand would be a start.” However, McElvaney who denies he is corrupt claims he managed to catch RTÉ red handed and was playing a joke on them.

Queenan, who resigned from Fianna Fáil following the broadcast, was caught asking for an investment of €200,000 in an agri-feed business. O’Donnell repeatedly informs Nina that he doesn’t want a fee but wants a third party to be involved in the project who he will get paid through.

The programme also highlighted a real lack of oversight on elected representatives as it flagged their blatant flouting of rules around the disclosure of business interests. These declarations have to be made by all public officials so that they are not seen to be motivated by private interests they have in property or commercial activity.

However, when checking the declarations of every politician in the country against property titles and company registration records RTÉ found discrepancies with houses, apartments, development land and company directorships all omitted from the declarations.