Standards Commission refers TD case to DPP

The Standards in Public Office Commission is referring the tax clearance certificate it received from Fianna Fáil TD Michael Collins to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Revenue Commissioners revealed in September that the Limerick West deputy owed them €130,000 arising from a bogus non-resident account.

Under the law, TDs must secure a tax clearance certificate from the Revenue Commissioners within nine months of a General Election, and must also swear an oath that they are in compliance with tax laws.

The Standards Commission, as well as passing documents on the case to the DPP, will bring the matter to the attention of the Dáil Committee on Members Interests.

This committee considers whether or not a TD contravenes the Ethics Act.

The Standards Commission said it has been advised that it does not have the power to investigate Deputy Collins under the ethics legislation.

Collins resigned the Fianna Fáil whip in September but was not ejected from the party.

Fianna Fáil is conducting its own internal investigation into the matter.