Michael Collins (Limerick politician)

For other people of the same name, see Michael Collins (disambiguation).

Michael J. Collins
Teachta Dála
In office June 1997 – May 2007
Constituency	Limerick West
Personal details
Born	1 November 1940 (1940-11-01) (age 71) Abbeyfeale, County Limerick
Nationality	Irish
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Fianna Fáil (until 2002)

Michael J. Collins (born 1 November 1940) is a former Fianna Fáil and Independent Teachta Dála (TD) for Limerick West from 1997 to 2007.^[1]

Early life and career

Michael Collins was born in Abbeyfeale, County Limerick in 1940.^[2] He is the son of James Collins and a brother of Gerry Collins, both Fianna Fáil members of Dáil Éireann. Collins was involved in local politics for many years, serving as a councillor and chairman of the Limerick County Council. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1997 general election as a Fianna Fáil TD and held his seat until retiring at the 2007 general election citing health reasons.^[3] His nephew, Niall Collins was elected to succeed him, maintaining the family's continuous occupation of a seat in that constituency since the 1948 general election.

Tax evasion

Collins hit the headlines in 2003 when it was revealed that he had set up a bogus offshore account to evade paying tax. He settled the bill with the Revenue Commissioners, paying over €130,000 in taxes, interest and penalties. He also resigned from the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party after it emerged he was on a list of tax defaulters.

On 11 July 2006, Collins appeared in Rathkeale district court charged with two tax offences: cheating the Collector General and obtaining a tax clearance certificate by false pretences.^[4] He was remanded on bail until 28 September 2006 when he was due to appear at Limerick District Court. On 9 January 2007 the Court decided to adjourn the case until after the General Election.

On 28 September 2007 after just under an hour of deliberation, a jury of seven men and five women returned its verdict. Collins was found guilty of obtaining a tax clearance certificate under false pretences.^[5]

Response of Standards Commission

Collins provided a Tax Clearance Certificate and a Statutory Declaration to the Standards Commission on 14 June 2002 as evidence of his compliance with the Tax Acts.

When Collins name appeared in Iris Oifigiúil^[6] the State gazette, as the holder of a bogus non-resident bank account, the Standards Commission sought legal advice and were advised that in the absence of a complaint, it did not have the legal authority to investigate Collins. The Commission advised the Minister for Finance of the limitations of the Ethics Acts which had been exposed through this matter.

Subsequently, the Chairman of the Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann made a written complaint and the Committee determined that an investigation be carried out by the Commission on foot of this. The investigation commenced but has been suspended pending the outcome of the Garda investigation and legal proceedings. The Standards Commission is concerned at the length of time this matter has been under consideration and urges that it be resolved without delay.

See also

• Families in the Oireachtas

References

1. ^ "Mr. Michael Collins". Oireachtas Members Database. http://www.oireachtas.ie/members-hist/default.asp?housetype=0&HouseNum=29&MemberID=202&ConstID=132. Retrieved 21 July 2010. 
2. ^ "Biography of Michael J. Collins, Election 2002". The Irish Times. 2002. http://www.irishtimes.com/focus/election_2002/biogs/collins_michael.htm. 
3. ^ "Michael J. Collins". ElectionsIreland.org. http://www.electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?id=567. Retrieved 21 July 2010. 
4. ^ "FF TD Michael Collins appears in court on tax charges". Irish Independent. 11 July 2006. http://www.unison.ie/breakingnews/index.php3?ca=9&si=94835. 
5. ^ "Former FF TD Michael Collins found guilty of tax charge". RTÉ News. 28 September 2007. http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/0928/collinsm.html. 
6. ^ "Undeclaration of income tax and VAT. Revenue bogus non-resident account case" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 26 September 2003. http://www.irisoifigiuil.ie/pdfs/ir260903.pdf. 

External links

• Standards in Public Office Commission

Oireachtas
Preceded by Gerry Collins (Fianna Fáil)	Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála for Limerick West 1997–2007	Succeeded by Niall Collins (Fianna Fáil)

Persondata
Name	Collins, Michael
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1 November 1940
Place of birth	Abbeyfeale, County Limerick
Date of death
Place of death