Dunlop selection as press officer 'in public interest'

Happier days: 1977 cabinet papers detail new appointment
Photograph: The Irish Times

The cabinet minutes for the first meeting of the Fianna Fáil government elected in 1977 contain an item under the heading, "Appointment in the Public Interest".

It reads: "On the recommendation of the Taoiseach it was decided that the appointment of Frank Dunlop to the established position of assistant secretary in the department of the Taoiseach would be in the public interest."

The photograph was taken on the day of his appointment.

The cabinet meeting was held in Áras an Uachtaráin on the evening of July 5th, 1977, after the Dáil had elected a new government headed by Jack Lynch.

The meeting convened at 8pm and concluded at 9.45pm. Mr Dunlop's appointment - in effect as government press secretary - was the last item on the agenda.

In latter years, Mr Dunlop has given crucial evidence to the Mahon tribunal about making corrupt payments to politicians in planning matters.

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times