A selection of quotes from the final part of the Moriarty report, which was published today:

"In the cynical and venal abuse of office, the brazen refusal to acknowledge the impropriety of his financial arrangements with Mr Denis O'Brien and Mr Ben Dunne, and by his contemptuous disregard for his taxation obligations, Mr [Michael] Lowry displayed qualities similar in nature, and has cast a further shadow over his country's public life."

Mr Lowry gave “substantive information to Denis O'Brien, of significant value and assistance to him in securing the [mobile] licence”.

Mr Lowry displayed "an appreciable interest in the license competition,” had "irregular interactions with interested parties at its most sensitive stages, sought and received substantive information on emerging trends (and) made his preference as between the leading candidates known".

"Mr Lowry was far from being an encouraging but disinterested minister, who responded positively to the advice of his most senior civil servant that he should exercise caution in dealings with interested parties."

“The tribunal has found that the payment, although not one ever intended for Mr Lowry personally, was nonetheless one that technically falls within its terms of reference and was a payment to Fine Gael, on behalf of Esat Digifone, at the instigation and promotion of Mr Denis O’Brien.”

"What was contemplated and attempted on the part of Mr Dunne and Mr Lowry was profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking" - the report referring to its finding Mr Lowry sought to influence a rent review of a building part-owned by Mr Dunne.

"What was reprehensible about his actions was that the tenant of the building was Telecom Éireann, of which, as minister for communications, Mr Lowry was the ultimate shareholder."

"Had his attempt succeeded, the resultant benefit would have been at the expense of Telecom Éireann, the shares of which Mr Lowry held on behalf of the State, and therefore at the expense of the taxpayer," it adds.