Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I know the law, although I am not an expert on every aspect. However, many years ago my tax advisers checked the issues in detail on the basis that it was a loan with interest. Subject to correction, I believe that the rate throughout the loan period was 3% — the interest rate that a person would have received on a deposit from 1993 or 1994. It was calculated yearly, and the total interest would be more than €20,000. I receive an annual figure from my tax adviser. It was calculated over the entire period on that basis. I paid capital gains tax and gift tax. It is not appropriate for me to spell out what I paid, but I assure the Deputy that I did so following advice.

I do not think Deputy Rabbitte means me to answer this question, but I must respond factually, since it is a fair question. I was involved in separation proceedings at the beginning of 1987, and they did not conclude until the end of 1993 in the High Court. Over that period, my wife and I had joint accounts in our names. For obvious reasons, I did not use our joint account. I used cheques separately to deal with issues, and I did not open an account in my own name until afterwards. I hope that is clear. The question was asked, so I have to answer it. In Manchester, as I said, I dealt with a range of issues, but that was the particular one, namely, my taxes.

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