The Taoiseach said the Government would consider any requests from the Committee of Public Accounts to extend its powers to investigate the AIB controversy.

Mr Ahern was replying to the Labour deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, on the Order of Business.

Mr Howlin said the Taoiseach had indicated Government and cross-party support for a full investigation of the matters brought to light regarding non-resident account-holders.

"Notwithstanding a comment in a national newspaper today that there is a reluctance to do this, will the Taoiseach again reassure the House that whatever powers are required to fully ventilate this issue will be given to the Committee of Public Accounts?"

Mr Ahern said he understood the committee had started work on that matter and its investigation was proceeding satisfactorily. "I also understand the committee has no difficulty in getting personnel from the banks or the Revenue Commissioners or anybody else to co-operate.

"We will allow that course to proceed. If the members of the committee have a difficulty they have stated that the chairman will explain their requirements to the Government.

"At that stage, the Government will consider what is necessary and the matter can be debated in the House."

The Fine Gael finance spokesman, Mr Michael Noonan, said that when the Taoiseach first commented on the matter last Sunday and Monday he had suggested a strongly interventionist role and that any tax due would be paid.

The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, had effectively said on Wednesday he had no function in the matter.

The Taoiseach said what Mr McCreevy had said was that it was not open to a minister for finance to query individual cases with the Revenue Commissioners. But outstanding liabilities owed to the State must be collected.