A tax official who pleaded guilty to defrauding the Revenue Commissioners of almost €5 million is still on the payroll, four years after his conviction, the Dβil was told.
Labour's finance spokesman, Mr Derek McDowell, said it suggests "there is something wrong with our appeal procedures". However, the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy said that all disciplinary procedures must be conducted in accordance with the Civil Service code, and could be very protracted.
The official had lodged an appeal to the Court of Criminal appeal, and internal disciplinary proceedings in the case were still ongoing.