Tax Settlements

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Questions (120)

Michael McGrath

Question:

120. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the number of settlements the Revenue Commissioners reached in 2014 and 2015 with high-net-worth individuals, HNWI, that contained a clause guaranteeing that the details of the settlement would not be published; why the Revenue Commissioners enter into non-disclosure agreements; his plans to review the policy in relation to non-disclosure of large settlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16796/16]

Written answers

Minister for Finance

I am informed by Revenue that non-publication of a tax settlement applies only where the details of the settlement are specifically excluded from publication by virtue of provisions of Section 1086 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 as set out in Revenue's Code of Practice for Revenue Audit http://www.revenue.ie/en/practitioner/codes-practice.html. I am advised by Revenue that there is no separate non-publication procedure operated by them for any particular class of taxpayer.

I am also advised by Revenue that their records relating to tax settlements where non-publication arose by virtue of the provisions of Section 1086 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 do not separately identify settlements with individuals who may be described as high net worth individuals.