I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has been carrying out detailed investigations since October 1999.
The investigation has essentially two elements. There are Ansbacher-type arrangements and there are other cases involving offshore funds and deposits.
Revenue has indicated there are 182 Ansbacher-type cases consisting of 121 cases named by the authorised officer and 61 similar cases discovered by Revenue. Of these, a total of 153 are under active investigation. Inquiries have not yet commenced in the remaining 29 because of insufficient identity information, non-residency or the 1993 amnesty being claimed. The investigation includes examining the tax position of disclosed entities and accumulating and assembling information on other connected entities. The number of connected entities in relation to core cases under investigation is now more than 600.
Revenue is making extensive use of its legislative powers to seek books, records, documents and information in the cases being investigated. Where appropriate, prosecutions will be considered but these will depend on the level of evidence available.
To date a total of £12.33 million or 15.66 million has been received in respect of 47 cases. This is made up of: