A call has been issued for the Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Michael Collins, to make a personal statement to the Dáil about his inclusion on the Revenue Commissioners' list last week of tax-evaders.
The Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, said there were many questions that required immediate answer and "rather than going to ground in West Limerick, he should come into the House and avail of the opportunity to make a personal statement to answer these".
The Dublin South West TD said it was time to "shun the 'cute hoorism' of tax evasion", which was not a "victimless crime".
Raising the issue on the adjournment of the Dáil, he said that every euro unlawfully evaded by those on the Revenue list was an additional euro on the tax bill of compliant taxpayers.
There was a need for the Revenue Commissioners to purse systematic evasion "without mercy" and for TDs to close off loopholes that facilitate evasion.
He said that the 419 names on the list deserved no sympathy whatsoever.
They set out to deliberately defraud the Revenue, calculating that there was a reasonable chance they would not be detected and the risk of public ignominy was worth taking.
Mr Collins, a Limerick West TD, should state clearly when his bogus non-resident account was opened and closed.
"He should say if he had any other bogus non-resident accounts," said Mr Rabbitte.
"He should say if he availed of the 1993 tax amnesty and, if not, why he did not do so, given that it was in itself an offence not to avail of the amnesty if his tax affairs were not in order."
Deputy Collins should also explain "how he felt able to sign a statutory declaration, solemnly and sincerely declaring that he was in compliance with the obligations imposed by the Tax Acts in relation to the payment or remittance of any taxes, interest or penalties required to be paid".
The Labour leader also hit out at the Taoiseach and asked why the internal party investigation was only announced after the issue had become public.
He called for the Taoiseach to explain his "carefully constructed answer [last week] to a question which was clearly designed to give the impression that he knew nothing of Mr Collins's tax evasion".
He said Mr Ahern's lack of action mirrored his handling of the Denis Foley affair in 2000, when it was revealed that the former TD had an Ansbacher account, and the Taoiseach was only "stirred into belated action when the matter became public".
The only conclusion that could be drawn was that Fianna Fáil "will only act against tax cheats in its own ranks when the matter becomes public".
Replying for the Minister of State, Mr Tom Parlon, the Minister of State, Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, did not refer directly to Mr Collins's case but stressed the Government's commitment and that of the Revenue Commissioners to dealing with tax evasion.
