Vol. 453 No. 4
40 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Finance his views on whether the Revenue Commissioners should be given wider powers to enquire into the unexplained acquisition of property and other material assets by people of apparently limited means, many of whom receive social welfare payments. [8412/95]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that where it can be established that people own property or other assets, inconsistent with their known income or gains, they are considered for audit or investigative powers appropriate to the circumstances are used. The powers of the Revenue Commissioners have been widened considerably in recent years to help them to deal with tax evasion. It is not considered that additional powers are required or necessary at present.
