Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen has spoken out this week to comment on the fact that his brother has been included in the annual Irish Revenue Defaulters List.
Christopher Cowen, a publican from Clara, Co Offaly, was one of many to be named in the list, and has since negotiated a settlement with Revenue Commissioners to compensate for his failure to pay the correct amount of VAT and income tax in relation to his business.
According to a report from the Irish Examiner this week, Christopher Cowen has made two seperate payments to the Revenue - one of EUR61,395, which covered outstanding income tax and VAT expenses, and another of EUR34,956 in interest and penalties.
The total settlement amounted to EUR96,351.
In a statement released earlier in the week, the Finance Minister commented on both the public and personal aspects of the situation, remarking that:
"As Minister for Finance I acknowledge the importance of pursuing those who default on their tax obligations. Without a rigorous system, including appropriate sanctions, those of us who meet our obligations would be let down by the State."
He continued: "The independence of the Revenue Commissioners guarantees that the system is applied in a fair and transparent manner. That is how it should be. My other reaction is on a personal level."
"I accept that my position as a public representative means close attention will be paid to my financial affairs. I had and have no involvement whatsoever in my brother’s business so it would not be fair to him were any greater media attentions paid to his revenue difficulties on account of my position in Government."
"I know from him that he gave full co-operation during the Revenue audit and I understand that these matters have now been resolved."
"It should also be pointed out that it is the long established practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment on the tax affairs of private individuals," Cowen pointed out.
"I do not intend to make any further comment on this matter," he concluded.
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