Former Taoiseach Mr Albert Reynolds has vehemently denied in a letter to a Dail committee an allegation that he breached the Ethics in Public Office Act. The Members' Interests Committee is investigating a complaint that Mr Reynolds breached the Act by not declaring his commercial involvement in a number of companies for the TDs' register of interests.
The Irish Times has learned that in a two-page letter from his solicitors, Mr Reynolds claimed he was never a director, shadow director or shareholder of the companies named in the complaint. The committee meets today to consider the issue.
The complaint was made by a Meath-based private investigator, Mr William Flynn. He has alleged Mr Reynolds breached Section 5 of the Act by neglecting to declare interests in a number of companies including Universal Management Consultants; Laser Quantum Ltd; Provence Ltd and Valemoor Projects.
The committee has yet to write to Mr Reynolds to serve notice officially of the investigation. Its legal advisers have been carrying out inquiries through the Companies Office and other sources.
Last month Mr Reynolds said his declarations to the TDs' register of interests were in order. He said his duties to the committee were in order and would be seen to be such when investigated.
The committee has the power to suspend an Oireachtas member from the Dail for up to 30 days for contravening section 5 of the Ethics in Public Office Act.