Vol. 530 No. 6
78 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Finance if he will make a statement on the draft report prepared by the revenue partnership intensive group on the shadow economy; if it is intended to publish the report; if the report estimates that the cost to the Exchequer of the shadow economy could be as much as £1.3 billion in tax foregone; [4654/01]
I have not had sight of the draft document and I do not propose to comment on it. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, by way of background, that its partnership committee established a group – the Revenue Partnership Intensive Group on the Overall Organisational Response to the Shadow Economy – to consider further measures that might be taken by revenue in relation to the shadow economy and to make recommendations to it. In line with the partnership agreement, the intensive group is made up of representatives from management, unions and staff.
The intensive group prepared a report of its findings and presented this to the December meeting of revenue's partnership committee, and I understand that the draft is still under discussion. No legislative proposals have been made to me for consideration at this stage.
