Vol. 406 No. 1
46 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Finance if the inquiries into allegations of fraud within the offices of the Revenue Commissioners, which were reported some months ago in the national press, have been fully investigated; if the investigations have been completed; if he will outline the action which is being taken concerning the allegations; the amount of moneys involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Presumably the Deputy is referring to the circumstances which arose in 1986-87 whereby a total of 148 cheques valued £814,230 intended for the Collector General of revenue were stolen. The cheques were altered and 75 of them were negotiated. The inquiries of the Public Accounts Committee into the fraud was reported in the national press some months ago.
The fraud is the subject of ongoing investigation by the Garda fraud squad.
To date, Garda investigations have resulted in charges being brought in 29 cases against a number of individuals unconnected with the Revenue Commissioners. Of these, 21 cases have been successfully prosecuted. In one instance, involving a cheque for £100,000, the case has been brought to trial on three occasions and the jury have failed to agree a verdict. The Supreme Court have prohibited any further action in the matter.
