Vol. 557 No. 4
195 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the details of the review of tax shelters under way in his Department and as referred to by the Taoiseach in Dáil Éireann on 12 November 2002; when this review was set up; the persons serving on it; the terms of reference of the review; when he expects to receive its report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22697/02]
I confirm for the Deputy that, as part of the normal pre-budget work, there is a review under way of tax expenditures and tax reliefs. The review involves officials in the budget and economic division of my Department in consultation with the relevant officials in the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. This matter has also been considered by the Tax Strategy Group. As the Deputy will be aware, this group consists of officials, advisers and programme managers from a number of Departments, including the Department of Finance. I intend to consider this matter in the context of preparations for the forthcoming budget.
It is long standing practice that, in the weeks prior to the annual budget, the Minister for Finance does not indicate, one way or the other, what measures may or may not be included in that budget. However, in my first budget I introduced a major curtailing of certain reliefs relating to property investment. In subsequent budgets and Finance Bills, I introduced various anti-avoidance measures and I have not hesitated to act to counter certain tax loopholes when these were brought to my attention.
