Tax-evader Wallace set to escape censure

Disgraced TD Mick Wallace looks set to escape any Dáil censure move against him while fellow deputies decide if they can probe his financial affairs.

However, party whips have recommended to the ceann comhairle that he be allowed parliamentary time today to make a statement to fellow TDs regarding the controversy which threatens to engulf him.

The Dáil’s Committee on Members’ Interests has given the Wexford TD until next week to supply information regarding when his construction company became involved with the Revenue, as they can only inquire into events since he was elected in Feb 2011.

The committee’s attempts to establish whether it has any powers to intervene in the affair means that attempts to table a censure motion against Mr Wallace are likely to be put on hold.

The committee’s chairman, Donegal independent Thomas Pringle, called for any censure motion to be delayed.

“I think if the committee decides that it can investigate this matter, obviously it would be better that there would be no motion of censure put before the House while the committee is processing through the inquiry that may take place,” he said.

The move came as Mr Wallace again sought permission from Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett to be allowed to make a personal statement to the Dáil following revelations that he knowingly lied to the Revenue regarding Vat returns for his construction company resulting in a debt to the State of €2.1m.

The issue also led to heated exchanges between Mr Barrett and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who said it was an “extraordinary” state of affairs that the national parliament was not discussing an issue the nation was talking about.

“I do think it is extraordinary that every news channel, every station outside of this House, can debate the issue and facilitate discussion of it. This House is the last place that can do that,” said Mr Martin.

Amid uproar, Mr Barrett suspended the House for five minutes after a fierce exchange with Mr Martin, in which the Fianna Fáil leader was accused of “playing politics” with the issue.

Fine Gael and Labour TDs fear a censure motion — which can only criticise Mr Wallace — could prejudice future action by State agencies against him, but Fianna Fáil has said it will move a motion of censure against Mr Wallace if the Government or the technical group do not.

Members of the committee s include Fine Gael’s Olivia Mitchell, who was found to have received an “inappropriate” payment of £500 while a councillor by the Mahon Tribunal.