The resolution to which the Deputy refers covers a range of issues. I am confining my reply to the policing of the corporate sector referred to in the question.
I totally reject the suggestion that the corporate sector is unpoliced. The Revenue Commissioners have a comprehensive programme in place to ensure that the corporate sector complies fully with its tax obligations.
Self assessment for the corporate sector was introduced in September, 1989 and the first returns were due by 1 July, 1990. As the Deputy will appreciate the various programmes are, therefore, at the developmental stage but considerable progress has already been made.
The compliance programme to ensure that returns are lodged on time secured 73 per cent of the 1989 returns by 31 December, 1991. This compares favourably with an ultimate response rate of less than 50 per cent in the pre self assessment era. The actual response rate may in fact be shown to be higher when a programme to remove dormant companies from the Revenue record is completed by the end of this year. Another feature of the corporate sector is that many companies do not have a tax liability in a particular year because of losses, capital allowances and other reliefs. The surcharge for late submission of returns has not been effective in securing returns from many companies in this situation. I have strengthened the Revenue's hand in this regard by a provision in this year's Finance Act which disallows in part certain claims to relief and offset of losses in the year in which a return is submitted late.