Ahern faces pressure over Collins affair
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to come under further pressure today to reveal the extent of his knowledge about the tax evasion undertaken by former Fianna Fáil TD Michael Collins.
Yesterday, Mr Ahern admitted that he was aware Mr Collins had difficulties with the taxman a number of months ago, but he said he did not know the details of the case.
This would appear to contradict statements he made last week when he said he believed all Fianna Fáil TDs had valid tax clearance certificates stating that their affairs were in order.
Mr Ahern also said last Friday that he had no knowledge of the Collins affair, but Fianna Fáil confirmed last night that Mr Collins told the Taoiseach in June that he would be named as a tax cheat by the Revenue Commissioners later in the year.
Opposition parties have already criticised Mr Ahern for effectively turning a blind eye to Mr Collins’s actions and failing to question him in detail about those actions when they were revealed in June.
