The Deputy will be aware that this question was dealt with on 20 February 2001. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the position is largely unchanged. The work of the special team established to investigate the tax affairs of those named in the report of the authorised officer on the examination of the books and documents of Ansbacher (Cayman) Limited is ongoing. As I indicated previously, the Revenue has informed me that this work entails examining the tax affairs not only of the individuals but of associated entities, including companies and trusts going as far back as the 1970s. Conse quently, the work is complex, time consuming and detailed. It is expected that the investigations will continue for some time and I understand it is impossible to indicate at this stage when the operation will be completed.
The Revenue has secured information from some of the named persons and has successfully obtained court orders against financial institutions to supply information in addition to the report of the authorised officer. To date, almost 65,000 documents have been received from various parties involved. This documentation is being controlled and interrogated using computer software. Available Revenue powers will continue to be used as appropriate to secure further information. To date, payments averaging £217,000 per case have been received from 29 cases on the list while a further seven cases with offshore investment or deposits have paid an average of £185,000 per case. Thus, the total amount collected to date is £7.6 million.