Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern is set to face some tough criticism this week, after reports emerged over the weekend that he cannot provide certification to the Oireachtas ethics watchdog to prove he is fully tax compliant.
Speaking over the weekend, Mr Ahern said that as far as he could tell he was tax compliant, but has taken measures to amend any non-compliance by providing the Standards in Public Office Commission with an Application Statement.
The country's Revenue Commission is also currently holding talks with Mr. Ahern's tax advisor in order to establish a more detailed understanding of the situation.
"I was - and I am - to the best of my knowledge and belief in compliance with my tax obligations. That is my position. That will, I am confident, be evidenced in due course by the issue of a Tax Clearance Certificate," Mr Ahern announced at the weekend, according to an Irish Times report.
In a statement published by the Irish Times, he added:
"My tax adviser is in discussions with the Revenue Commissioners on these matters. That process will take its course and will come to a conclusion in due time, just as it would for any taxpayer engaged in a similar process."
"I firmly believe that I am in a position to answer any questions raised by the Revenue Commissioners, who deal similarly with all taxpayers, regardless of their occupation. That is as it should be."
The Prime Minister then went on to criticize the public nature of the examination of his finances, stating that:
"Details of my tax affairs, no less than those of anyone else, are confidential between myself and the Revenue Commissioners. Those who have been demanding that this long-standing practice should be set aside are taking us into uncharted territory and challenging the foundations for confidence in our tax system."
"Accordingly, it would be inappropriate for me to discuss the details of my tax affairs with anybody other than the Revenue Commissioners."
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