Ethics watchdog rejects claims on Collins tax issue

The Standards in Public Office Commission says it only found out about Deputy Michael Collins' tax liability when he was named in a list of defaulters by Revenue on Friday last.

Minister of State Willie O'Dea has suggested that the State's independent watchdog may have been aware of it in June.

Minister O'Dea suggested that Deputy Collins may have informed the Commission, when he informed the Taoiseach three months ago.

But in a statement this afternoon, the Commission says it first heard on Friday that Deputy Collins held a bogus non-resident account and had made a six-figure tax settlement.