McCreevy stands by investor tax break

FINANCE Minister Charlie McCreevy's tax break for private hospital operators, created after lobbying from a constituent, could cost the taxpayer up to €63 million.

The consortium developing the private clinic, involving the minister's constituent from Co Kildare, stand to save €9 million from the introduction of the loophole.

But Mr McCreevy insisted again yesterday there was nothing underhand in the introduction of the loophole.