Fine Gael yet to hold inquiry on tax default

FINE GAEL has yet to hold a promised internal inquiry into the case of one of its county councillors who was declared a tax defaulter six months ago.

Last June, the party expressed regret after Co Offaly councillor Percy Clendennen reached a €125,000 settlement with the Revenue Commissioners for under-declaration of VAT.

In July, Fine Gael general secretary Tom Curran told a member of the public who contacted the party about the issue that Mr Clendennen’s case was before the disciplinary committee, and he was therefore precluded from comment.

When The Irish Timescontacted Fine Gael about the case, a spokeswoman said it would not disclose its internal processes. She said the party regretted any local authority member would not be tax-compliant and have to make a settlement with the Revenue.

When it was pointed out Mr Curran had said there would be a hearing before the disciplinary committee, the spokeswoman repeated that response.

She declined to say who sits on the party’s disciplinary committee or what sanctions it can take.

Last month, the party moved swiftly against a Fine Gael councillor in Naas, Co Kildare, after he said he would no longer represent black African constituents. Darren Scully’s case comes before the party’s national executive this month.

Mr Clendennen, a publican and farmer from Kinnity, near Birr, said he had been told there would be an inquiry into his appearance on the tax defaulters’ list, but had not heard from the party since.

A Revenue audit found he had under-declared VAT by €62,500. Penalties and interest accounted for the rest of the settlement.

Last month, Mr Clendennen picketed Leinster House with other members of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland and told the Offaly Independent that “publicans are struggling”.