The Revenue Commissioners has made 43 settlements totalling £1.6 million (€2.03 million) with tax defaulters for the period April to June. The largest settlement, of £250,000 was made by a Co Wexford farmer, Mr Nicholas Stafford, of Glasganny, Castlebridge, who also owns an auctioneering business in Wexford town, Stafford, Nicholas & Sons.

The next largest settlement, for £171,000 was also made in Wexford, by a restaurant company, John Fortune Ltd, of 20 North Main Street, where the M&J Restaurant is located.

Among the directors listed by the Companies Office is Mr John Fortune, of Roselann, St John's Road, who made a £10,642 settlement with the Revenue. He is also a director of a property development company, Selskar Properties, which is the landlord at 20 North Main Street, and which made a £15,093 settlement with the Revenue.

Mr Fortune is also a director of the Glimmer Man Pub in Stoney batter, Dublin. He declined to make any comment last night.

Mr Stafford said that his settlement related solely to his cattle-dealing business. Of the £250,000 settlement, £146,759 was for tax underpaid, and the balance, of £103,240 was interest and penalties.

"It has to be paid and, for me, life must go on," he added.

Other large settlements include one of £140,000, made by fisherman Mr Cornelius Minihane, of Curramore, Filane, Castletownbere, Co Cork, and one of £98,875, made by PB Plant, of Mountain Top, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, a machinery sales company.