Bruton to meet civil servant at centre of dossier claims

Minister for Jobs Richard Bruton is to meet the civil servant in his department who sent a controversial dossier containing allegations of tax evasion involving senior politicians.

Mr Bruton briefed the Cabinet yesterday, and sent a witness statement provided by Gerry Ryan, an official in the Department of Jobs, to An Garda Síochána.

Mr Ryan had been critical of the Minister for not passing on the statement sought by gardaí which was first given to him in December 2012.

The Government spokesman insisted the delay in passing the information, including some 5,500 pages of supporting documentation, was due to “a delay in the system – no more than that”. “It was being dealt with . . . It’s where it needs to be now.”

Mr Ryan, who last week sent a dossier on the tax evasion claims to members of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee under protected disclosures legislation, had accused Mr Bruton of “interference with the administration of justice” in failing to forward his statement, which he said had been sought by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation .

PAC meeting

The PAC will meet today in private session to discuss its next steps. In the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Enda Kenny confirmed Mr Bruton will meet Mr Ryan and this is expected without any “undue delay”, his spokesman said.

Mr Kenny also confirmed to Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary that the dossier was originally referred to the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation, the Revenue Commissioners and the tribunals at the time, in 2005.

Mr Kenny’s spokesman later said it was his understanding there was nothing new in the latest witness statement which had not been in the documentation handed over to various authorities by Michéal Martin – the minister in Mr Ryan’s department – in 2005.

Ansbacher cases

Separately, the Revenue Commissioner last night said it had investigated a core number of 289 Ansbacher cases. The figure of 289 was first mentioned in the Revenue’s report in 2002, and a spokeswoman said all reports from Mr Ryan had been considered.

The spokeswoman added: “Of the 289 cases, 283 are finalised and inquiries into the remaining six cases are well advanced. The yield from the Ansbacher investigation as at December 31st, 2013, was €112.77 million from 143 cases.” No further information was provided about the claims passed to Revenue in 2005.

PAC chairman John McGuinness last night said he would be proposing it should seek the full 763-page report on alleged tax evasion given by Mr Ryan to ministers, gardaí and other investigative bodies over recent years. He said the committee should also look for any appendices provided as part of this report.

Mr McGuinness also said he would be proposing the committee would need to obtain clarity from other organisations and State bodies which received this report – such as Revenue Commissioners and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement – on the steps they took before it should decide how to proceed.

Meanwhile, the Department of Jobs confirmed last night Mr Ryan had been offered a bonus several years ago to complete his investigations.

Mr Ryan told the PAC last week in a dossier he had been offered two bonuses, €10,000 and €20,000 and other alternative posts in the public service.