The Taoiseach defended his decision not to make public the tax difficulties of the Fianna Fáil backbencher, Mr Michael Collins.
During heated exchanges with the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, the Taoiseach said: "It was not for me to investigate the facts. I am not in the business, nor am I going to get into the business of breaking due process and natural justice." There was no secrecy because the issue was coming into the public domain, the Taoiseach added.
Mr Ahern said that "when a member in confidence comes to tell me that their name is in the Revenue domain, it is not for me to ring the Revenue, who would not give me the details, and it is not for me to put it in the public domain.
"In this case, Deputy Collins was absolutely clear his name was coming into the public domain and he was going to deal with the issues both in the party context and with the Public Offices Commission."
Mr Kenny accused Mr Ahern of "cowardice dressed up as ethics". What was involved was not Deputy Collins, but the Taoiseach's leadership, he added.
"This is appalling leadership and disgusting government and it does you no justice at all as leader of your party to be here and admit you did nothing in the face of the standards set down by yourself in this House."
Mr Ahern replied that Mr Collins had difficulties which would be dealt with. Addressing Mr Kenny, amid uproar, he said: "Your entire party has a problem with your \ tax affairs."
Earlier, Mr Ahern said that Mr Collins had approached him in the second half of June and told him that he had personally sorted out a tax issue with the Revenue Commissioners and that his name would be published shortly in a report.
When that was published, he had added, he would make a public statement and make himself available to deal with the issue.
Mr Collins had told him that he understood there would be problems because Fianna Fáil had a ruling about tax certificates. He had said he also knew what the Fianna Fáil ruling was on the issue. "He was aware that he would be in breach of the Public Offices Commission and would have to deal with that body as well," Mr Ahern said.
The Taoiseach said the Government parties tolerated no form of tax evasion. "Those who seek election, and want to be legislators in this House, have a particular responsibility to ensure that their tax affairs are in order."
Mr Kenny said the Taoiseach had told the House in May 1998, relating to the resignation of Mr Ray Burke, that what mattered most was how a political party reacted to knowledge when it became available. "The Taoiseach has now openly admitted that several months ago, he got information to the effect that Deputy Michael Collins, a member of his party, had some serious difficulties with the Revenue Commissioners, in terms of compliance with tax regulations."
But the Taoiseach had done nothing. "The Taoiseach has fallen below the standards he set himself," said Mr Kenny.
He challenged Mr Ahern to explain his inaction to "this House and the thousands of compliant taxpayers outside who are appalled by the continuing litany of abuse of privilege and carry-on by members, in some cases, from this House".
