Vol. 481 No. 2
57 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Finance if he has met formally with the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners since 1 July 1997; if so, if the meeting took place in his office in Government buildings or in the offices of the chairman of the Revenue Commissioners in Dublin Castle; the plans, if any, he has to improve the operational relationship between the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15712/97]
I met the chairman and the other members of the board of the Revenue Commissioners in my office on 8 July 1997 in order to familiarise myself with taxation issues generally. I have met the chairman and the other commissioners since then at a number of individual functions.
I look forward to further meetings and to visiting the offices of the Revenue Commissioners to meet their staff. I commend my predecessor for the initiative he took in being the first Minister to visit Revenue's offices for discussions.
I have indicated my very high regard for the changes that the Revenue Commissioners have brought about in the last ten years or more in relation to the administration of the tax system. I know that the Commissioners in their corporate plan are determined to press ahead with further improvements in this area.
As the Deputy will know, the relationship between the Department and the Revenue Commissioners involves close co-operation in many areas, including forecasting tax revenue, in analysing and considering tax policy changes, in preparing the annual Finance Bill and other fiscal legislation, and in EU discussions on taxation matters. This relationship, of course, fully respects the independence of the Revenue Commissioners in the discharge of their tax functions.
The present working relationship is excellent and I am confident that this beneficial working relationship will continue.
