Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2015
56. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Finance if an arrangement for the repayment of arrears of tax in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be continued to allow the business to continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5163/15]
View answerI am advised by Revenue that, where possible, it always seeks to work with businesses that are experiencing temporary cash-flow difficulties in preference to deploying debt collection/enforcement measures to secure outstanding taxes. However, such discussions require open and committed engagement to identify mutually acceptable solutions and are predicated on a business being viable and capable of meeting future tax obligations in a timely manner.
The business to which the Deputy refers has been afforded numerous chances over the last number of years to regularise its tax affairs but has consistently failed to meet the agreed terms of the various arrangements and continues to have a very poor tax compliance record.
The most recent phased payment plan was agreed with the business in October 2014 and Revenue has assured me that it has not cancelled the arrangement.
Revenue has in fact tried to maintain the arrangement even though the terms of the agreement have again not been adhered to by the business. In this regard, Revenue has confirmed to me that to date it has not deployed any enforcement sanctions against the business.
If the business now wishes to further discuss the issues with Revenue, it should immediately contact Jane O'Brien at telephone number 061 488270 or email jobrie01@revenue.ie.
