Gilmore seeks statement from Ahern

Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore today called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to issue a public statement about his tax affairs.

Mr Gilmore claimed the Taoiseach's authority was being eroded and his credibility undermined with each new revelation on his personal finances.

Mr Ahern is facing increasing Opposition pressure over his evidence to the Mahon tribunal, where he is due to give evidence again next month to discuss new issues in relation to IR£5,000 lodged into his building society account in January 1994.

The Taoiseach last appeared before the inquiry in Dublin Castle for two consecutive days earlier this month. He previously spent four days in the witness box in September, when his 1990s personal finances were investigated.

Tribunal lawyers focused part of their inquiries on a series of cash lodgements made to Mr Ahern during a 13-month period between 1994 and 1995 while he was minister for finance.

Both Labour and Fine Gael have said they intend to raise their new concerns about Mr Ahern's tax affairs when the Dáil resumes sitting next month.

"What I do think is necessary is that Mr Ahern himself should make a public statement setting out the state of his tax affairs and clarifying these matters," Mr Gilmore told RTÉ radio this morning.

"I think he needs to do that now because we won't have an opportunity unfortunately of questioning Mr Ahern in the Dáil about this until the end of January and I don't think that it is desirable that there is continuing doubt and speculation about the Taoiseach's tax affairs over that long period of time."