Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:64 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Finance the additional measures he is proposing to deal with the issue of tax evasion in view of recent court convictions. [2590/05]
View answerTuesday, 1 February 2005
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Significant powers were given to the Revenue Commissioners in Finance Act 1999 and these have been used to great effect to recoup for the Exchequer significant amounts of tax that had been evaded over many years.
In this context, I draw the Deputy's attention to two recent reports relating to the general area of revenue powers. Last year the Revenue powers group report was published. The group found that the existing powers in Ireland were generally in line with international standards but recommended some changes to improve the balance between the need to secure the revenue of the State and the need to protect the taxpayer as a citizen.
Only yesterday the Law Reform Commission published a report entitled A Fiscal Prosecutor and a Revenue Court that also addressed the area of tax appeals and prosecutions. All of the recommendations made will be examined by my Department and by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners for administrative implementation or for enactment in the annual Finance Bill, as appropriate. Where additional measures are needed, I will not be found lacking. Legislative proposals in this regard are a matter for the Finance Bill, which will be published on 3 February.