Taoiseach says Government ready to censure Wallace

THE GOVERNMENT “stands ready” to put together an all-party motion of censure on Independent TD Mick Wallace’s tax affairs, the Dáil has heard.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said “Deputy Wallace’s position is of the utmost seriousness and I’m not going to say anything that might prejudice any case that may or may not be taken”.

A meeting of party whips has delayed any decision about a motion of censure against Mr Wallace until after the Committee on Members’ Interests deals with the issue. Ceann Comhairle and chair of the Standards in Public Office committee Seán Barrett referred the matter to the committee. Mr Kenny told Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who requested a debate, that “the Constitution is quite clear in so far as membership of this House is concerned for persons elected by the people in a democratic election”.

“The Government stands ready if necessary to put together an all-party motion on this matter.”

He hoped when the members’ interests committee met it would deal “decisively” with it.

Mr Wallace, who had been in the Chamber during Leaders’ Questions, was not present when the matter was raised by Mr Martin on the Order of Business.

The Wexford TD made a €2.1 million settlement with the Revenue Commissioners for underdeclaration of VAT.

The Fianna Fáil leader said it was a substantial matter and TDs should have an opportunity to give their views. He said the public’s view on the issue was that “people must be seen to be treated equally by the agencies of the State”.

It was “somewhat surreal and unreal that everywhere else is discussing the issue and there seems to be some difficulty in facilitating a discussion in this House”.

He described the matter as a “very genuine issue that goes to the heart of society and . . . the role of the Dáil and the Oireachtas”.

Mr Martin referred to Mr Wallace’s request to make a personal statement and he accepted the Ceann Comhairle’s “call” on the issue. Mr Barrett said “the request made to me was not in accordance with standing orders”.

“It’s not that I turned down a request. It didn’t comply with standing orders.”

Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins said Mr Wallace’s actions were “utterly wrong” and there was a “need for every penny to be repaid from whatever resources available”. There was “also an issue of fairness to members of the Dáil”, especially those “who have in the most dishonest, underhand and opportunistic way been targeted by some sectors of the right-wing media as if there was guilt by association”.