ONE of the Revenue Commissioners' most senior staff has moved into the private sector. Mr Liam Hennessy, who was assistant secretary in the Revenue for nine years, has taken up a new role in Farrell Grant Sparks, chartered accountants.

Mr Hennessy is credited with spearheading the development of the self assessment system of taxation and was heavily involved in the consolidation of direct taxes. This was a move to bring together all tax legislation and is currently at the White Paper stage.

The process, which took almost two years, involved a joint approach by the Revenue and the private sector. It has been hailed in accountancy circles as a monumental achievement and a "giant stride towards making tax law accessible and understandable". Mr Hennessy will join a business consulting unit at Farrell Grant Sparks, the accountancy and consultancy practice which employs 60 people. Mr Hennessy's unit has been or is currently involved in a range of projects, including an evaluation of employee share options schemes as a financing mechanism for Irish industry. The company is also overseeing an EU and Department of Agriculture backed programme on rural development. A self help programme, it is designed to reverse the decline in population in rural Ireland. Approximately 36 groups are involved in the programme, which includes projects such as a cheese making company in Waterford and one which grows tulips for export to Holland.

Mr Hennessy (43) said last night that he had been given an opportunity to make a challenging change in mid career, to work in a "dynamic and forward looking" firm.

Mr Hennessy, who is married with two children, had worked in the civil service for 20 years. He holds a Master's Degree in Strategic Management.

It is understood that the £73,000 per annum post in the Revenue Commissioners will be filled at a later date.