Vol. 452 No. 8
95 Mr. O'Dea asked the Minister for Finance if he will confirm that the Revenue Commissioners are investigating allegations that fake tax clearance certificates are being sold to the public by some of their officials; the number of certificates which have allegedly been sold; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8652/95]
I am aware of allegations in a newspaper article to the effect that "fake tax clearance certificates" are being sold by officials. I understand from the Revenue Commissioners that the journalist involved contacted them prior to publication of the article and gave them as much information as she felt was possible. However, no evidence was supplied to them, such as the names of the officers alleged to have been involved or the tax districts. Neither was the information supplied of a kind that would readily enable the Revenue Commissioners to identify them.
All allegations of irregularities within their area of operation are investigated by the Revenue Commissioners and taken very seriously by them. In this case, an urgent internal inquiry commenced immediately the allegations were made and is ongoing but, to date, no evidence has been discovered in support of the allegations. The Deputy will, of course, appreciate the difficulties inherent in conducting an investigation into unsubstantiated allegations in relation to unnamed persons.
