AIB in search of lost lustre

The only certain outcome of the inquiry into DIRT evasion by the Dail Committee of Public Accounts is that AIB Bank's public relations and marketing budget is likely to grow exponentially in its aftermath.

The bank will have little choice if it is to do something to enhance its battered image following testimony this week by witnesses from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.

It is probably lucky that the Revenue's top brass - another group which has failed to shine this week - seemed reluctant to prosecute offenders, preferring the settlement route. In different circumstances, it appears senior Revenue tax inspector Tony Mac Carthaigh would love to have thrown the book at the bank.

He told the committee: "AIB gave themselves an amnesty. They had no intention of ever paying tax on any of this [bogus non-resident account] money, and there is proof of it." Replying to the bank's view that it had secured a write-off of historic commitments, he said: "Why would I give a concession to AIB, who had been a thorn in my side for some time when, at the same time, I was extracting the full shilling from Bank of Ireland, who were co-operating with me?"

Why, indeed. AIB will put its case later this month; no doubt, its witnesses will hope to do better than the Revenue chiefs this week.