New master of Rotunda was on Revenue’s list of tax defaulters

The board of the Rotunda Hospital was briefed on the circumstances in which the incoming master was named in the Revenue Commissioners' list of tax defaulters before he was appointed.

Consultant obstetrician/gynaecologist Prof Fergal Malone, who takes over as master next month, made a settlement for €182,000 in relation to under-declaration of income tax earlier this year. In the same list, a company, Prof F Malone, of which he is listed as a director, made a settlement of €438,000 for under-declaration of PAYE/PRSI.

Prof Malone was the unanimous choice of the interview panel for the position from five shortlisted candidates, the board was told in April. Before placing his nomination to the board, chairwoman Hilary Prentice referenced his appearance in the Revenue list published in Iris Oifigiúil, according to a report in the Medical Independent.

A hospital spokesman said Prof Malone provided the board with all the necessary paperwork showing his tax affairs were in order.

“All of the board of governors were made aware by Prof Malone of the circumstances in which a tax liability arose. They were confident that Prof Malone was acting on financial advisers’ recommendations and there was no attempt at avoiding that tax liability. The board was also satisfied that Prof Malone had settled in full and he was in good standing with the Revenue Commissioners. That concluded the matter to the satisfaction of the board.”

Dozens of medical consultants have appeared on recent tax defaulter lists after receiving advice about setting up tax shelters that was later challenged by Revenue.

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