Calls for under-declaring councillor’s resignation

THE political future of a Fianna Fáil tax defaulter is hanging in the balance after a call was made for him to resign his seat on Cork County Council.

Even Cllr Dan Fleming’s own party leader, Micheál Martin, said he did not believe it was acceptable for any public representatives to be in dispute with the Revenue Commissioners.

“I intend to look at this case and, if necessary, take whatever actions are appropriate,” Mr Martin said.

Mr Fleming, an auctioneer who lives in Blarney, Co Cork, was audited by the Revenue, which found he had made an under-declaration of income tax and VAT to the tune of €515,315.

They also imposed interest and penalties of €263,065, leaving Mr Fleming having to make a total settlement of €778,416.

Senator John Gilroy (Lab), who served on the county council with Mr Fleming for several years, said he had to resign.

He said under-declaration of tax was a serious matter and “Cllr Fleming’s position as a public representative is untenable. He should resign his seat immediately.”

Mr Fleming said yesterday he was shocked when the tax liability was brought to his attention earlier this year. “I was shocked. It was a simple error. I am sorry for it,” he said.

His settlement was one of 84 cases published by the Revenue Commissioners on Tuesday for the quarter from July 1 to September 30.

Cllr Declan Hurley, a independent county councillor based in Dunmanway, said the disclosure didn’t put Mr Fleming in a very good light.

“In fairness he does represent people and gets his views across. But I don’t think it augers well for a public representative to do that (under-declare tax). It questions his ability to perform as a councillor,” said Mr Hurley.

“Fianna Fáil will have to be seen to act on this.”

It is believed that Fianna Fáil headquarters are considering removing the party whip from Mr Fleming, who was first elected to Cork County Council in June 1991.

He has been re-elected to the council at every local election since. In 1992, he made an unsuccessful attempt to get elected to the 27th Dáil, when he ran for Fianna Fáil in the Cork North-West constituency.

Cllr Paula Desmond, who leads the Labour Party on Cork County Council, has congratulated the Revenue Commissioners for doing their job.

She said that lessons had to be learnt from what had happened and she was waiting to see what Fianna Fáil headquarters would do.