Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today defended the party's decision to make a formal complaint to the Standards in Public Office Commission (Sipo) yesterday about Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
He said he could no longer accept the Taoiseach's explanation of his finances in the early 90s which are the subject Mahon Tribunal inquiries and urged him to step down.
The complaint signed by Fine Gael Senator Eugene Regan follows the revelation that Taoiseach is unable to submit a tax clearance certificate to the Sipo. TDs and senators are required to provide the certificate within nine months of being elected.
But having claimed he had no outstanding issues with the Revenue Commissioners last year, Mr Ahern recently admitted that he had lodged a surety with the Commissioners.
Oireachtas members that cannot provide a clearance certificate are allowed lodge a statement of application acknowledging outstanding tax issues to the Sipo until the Collector General has made a determination and any appeal has been heard.
Mr Kenny told RTE Radio's This Weekthat Mr Ahern's failure to provide a tax clearance certificate after last year's election raises a question over the validity of the one he submittted after the 2002 election.
"If the Taoiseach had paid his taxes when they were due he would now be in a position to produce a tax clearance certificate, as he is required."
He said the complaint to the Sipo was a formality because the watchdog can only act on foot of a complaint. It was the his "duty" to inform the Sipo "because if I don't I'm going along with this".
Mr Kenny said it was a matter for Mr Ahern's Cabinet colleagues to decide whether he should remain in office. But he urged his resignation saying the Government was being distracted by the long-running controversy rather than being focused on challenges facing the country.