Bruton queries tax designation

Mr John Bruton has written to the Taoiseach seeking clarification of the circumstances in which a tax designation was granted…

Mr John Bruton has written to the Taoiseach seeking clarification of the circumstances in which a tax designation was granted for the Golden Island site in Athlone.

Tax incentives were awarded to a multi-million pound commercial development in Athlone on December 14th, 1994, the day before Fianna Fail left office.

Statutory instruments for 30 areas were given effect by the then Minister for the Environment, Mr Michael Smith, and countersigned by the then Minister for Finance, Mr Ahern, on November 30th, 1994. They had been agreed between Fianna Fail and Labour some months earlier.

But, on the eve of the Rainbow Government coming to power, Mr Smith and Mr Ahern signed a second statutory instrument for Athlone No 2, giving tax designation to the Golden Island site.