Politics

Man who made tax-evasion allegations seeks private PAC meeting

Civil servant suggests meeting could take place early next month

Revenue chair Josephine Feehily: before Christmas, Revenue told the Public Accounts Committee all files drawn up by Gerard Ryan were fully examined and followed up, a position outlined by Ms Feehily. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Revenue chair Josephine Feehily: before Christmas, Revenue told the Public Accounts Committee all files drawn up by Gerard Ryan were fully examined and followed up, a position outlined by Ms Feehily. Photograph: Eric Luke/The Irish Times
Fiach Kelly
Thu Jan 22 2015 - 01:02

The civil servant who has made allegations of tax evasion against a number of former senior politicians has proposed giving evidence in private to the Dáil Public Accounts Committee. It is understood that Gerard Ryan has written to the committee suggesting that the hearing could take place early next month.

Sources said Mr Ryan indicated that he could be accompanied by another civil servant and a lawyer. The committee is expected to consider the letter at its meeting today.

The PAC is understood to have legal advice that it should not allow Mr Ryan to appear before it and the Oireachtas legal advisers are expected to tell TDs in private session today that such a hearing would be outside its remit.

At a meeting before Christmas, the Revenue Commissioners told the PAC all files drawn up by Mr Ryan were fully examined and followed up, a position outlined by the chair of the Revenue Commissioners Josephine Feehily.

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The PAC sent a transcript of its meeting with the Revenue Commissioners to Mr Ryan and asked him to respond in writing. Mr Ryan has not done so to date and instead sent a letter to the PAC asking for a hearing in private.

His letter says: “As you know I have been advised that the disclosures already made by me to the committee are protected disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.

“I would appreciate if the committee would meet me in private session so that I can respond appropriately to the issues referred to above.”

Sources said the PAC had been advised Mr Ryan was not protected under the Protected Disclosures Act and claimed the committee was unlikely to agree to his request for a private meeting.