The chairman of the Planning Tribunal, Judge Alan Mahon confirmed this evening that he had made a tax settlement of £20,000 with the Revenue Commissioners in 1992.
Judge Mahon - who took over the chairmanship of the tribunal from Justice Feargus Flood during the summer - issued the statement today following media enquiries that were made of him in relation to an article that is to appear in the Phoenixmagazine tomorrow.
The settlement involved the payment by Judge Mahon of £20,000 (€25,394.76) which included payment of interest on the tax due.
He said the payment was made as a result of a miscalculation of his tax liability in one year in the late 1980s which became evident following upon a subsequent Revenue audit.
Judge Mahon said he declared his tax payment to the Revenue prior to taking up a position as a judge.
In his statement Judge Mahon said: "At the request of the Revenue Inspector, all records were voluntarily provided by me and upon audit a shortfall in my tax payment was established.
"The settlement involved the payment by me of £20,000 which included payment of interest on the tax due. The payment was made as a result of a miscalculation of my tax liability in one year in the late 1980's which became evident following upon a subsequent Revenue audit.
"The shortfall and payment of tax did not involve or arise from the use by me of any undisclosed bank accounts or records".
Reacting to the news Fine Gael said the work of the Planning Tribunal should not be delayed.
"This Tribunal has already endured significant delays and obstruction," a party statement read.
"In disclosing this information to the Judicial Appointments Commission Judge Mahon acted correctly.
"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," the FG statement added.