Ahern 'should not be involved in appointing Revenue chairman'
Labour Party finance spokesperson Joan Burton has today said that the Taoiseach should not be involved in the process to appoint a new chairman of the Revenue Commissioners.
The current chairman Frank Daly is due to retire on March 12 and a new chairman will then have to be appointed.
A new commissioner will also have to be appointed at that stage to the three person body.
At the moment, the chair is appointed "at the pleasure of the Taoiseach".
Deputy Burton believes that given the recent revelations concerning the Taoiseach's finances, that it would be inappropriate for Mr Ahern to be involved.
Ms Burton said: "Mr Ahern has admitted to making a payment to the Revenue ‘on account’ in regard to potential tax liabilities; he has also made a number of requests for ‘voluntary disclosure’, requests that has yet to be adjudicated upon."
"The Revenue Commissioners have always been public servants of exceptional integrity and ability. I have no doubt that whoever is appointed to succeed Mr Daly will discharge their duties in a similar manner.
"However, we have to guard against any perception or appearance of a conflict of interest. It would be quite inappropriate for Mr Ahern to be in any way involved in this process"
"Mr Ahern should not have any role in the appointment process. When the matter comes before Cabinet he should absent himself from the meeting and play no part in any discussion."
