Vol. 413 No. 9
107 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Finance if, in relation to the urban renewal financial incentives scheme which was announced in October 1987 and formally launched in February 1988, he will outline the reason it was backdated to 9 July 1987; and if he will give a list of all the schemes approved to benefit from these incentives when the work commenced between 9 July 1987 and the date of the announcement in October 1987.
Under section 27 of the Finance Act, 1987, the Minister for Finance was empowered to grant tax reliefs to designated areas for a qualifying period provided, inter alia, that the relevant period did not commence prior to the passing of that Act. The Finance Act, 1987, was passed on 9 July.
As regards the list of schemes approved to benefit from the incentives between 9 July 1987 and October 1987, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that their obligation to observe confidentiality in relation to the taxation affairs of individual taxpayers precludes them from giving the information requested by the Deputy.
