Claims of U-turn on tax status decision

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern changed his story about his personal finances once more yesterday, admitting the Revenue Commissioners could issue a decision on his tax status at any time.

Last week, Mr Ahern said Revenue could not finish its examination of his tax affairs until the Mahon Tribunal had finished its investigation of his personal finances.

“The position taken by the Revenue is that they can’t finalise it until Mahon’s work is finished. So, I mean, that’s fine by me,” said the Taoiseach. But yesterday, on first day of Dáil business following the six-week Christmas recess, Mr Ahern indicated he was wrong to have said that.