The Government will come under pressure today to reveal what knowledge it had of Judge Alan Mahon's tax liability before appointing him chair of the planning tribunal formerly headed by Mr Justice Feargus Flood.
Judge Mahon revealed yesterday he had settled a bill with the Revenue Commissioners in 1992 for an outstanding bill of £20,000 in unpaid tax and penalties relating to some years previous.
The Irish Timestoday revealed the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, had been on the Judicial Appointments Commission that advised the Government on Judge Mahon's appointment to the Flood tribunal. Mr McDowell was attorney general at the time.
Last night Mr McDowell refused to comment on whether he was aware of the settlement. However, Judge Mahon confirmed to the newspaper that he had informed the appointment board of the matter at the time.
A Department of Justice spokesman told ireland.comthis morning the Minister would not be making a further statement on the matter.
Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said it was important the work of the tribunal was not undermined or delayed by the revelation.
"However, it would be useful if the Government clarified the extent of knowledge it had of this matter when making appointments to the Planning Tribunal," Mr Kenny said.
Questioned before this morning's tribunal sitting, Judge Mahon was tight-lipped about the controversy. "All is said," he told reporters.