The Standards in Public Office Commission has postponed an investigation into the tax affairs of Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Michael Collins, until the matter has been dealt with by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
In a statement today the Commission said it had deferred its investigation "having considered the views of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the views of Deputy Collins."
The Commission had been requested by the Dáil's Committee on Members' Interests to investigate the Limerick West TD after he was forced to pay €130,000 in back taxes and penalties to the Revenue last year.
Mr Collins is understood to have had undeclared tax liabilities at the time he applied for a tax clearance certificate and made a statutory declaration of his tax affairs following the May 2002 general election.
All TDs are obliged under the Ethics' Act to make a full declaration of their tax affairs after their election.
A garda investigation into Mr Collins's tax affairs is currently underway.
Mr Collins was forced to resign from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party last September after the Revenue revealed he was on a list of over 400 tax defaulters.
As well as owing money relating to the undeclaration of income tax and VAT, Mr Collins was liable for tax due on income in a bogus non-resident account owned by the TD.
Mr Collins has subsequently reached a settlement with the Revenue Commission. In May the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, hinted that Mr Collins would be expelled from the party once all inquiries into his conduct are completed.
