Vol. 573 No. 5
33 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Finance the number of individuals, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Clerical Medical Insurance-NIB inquiry at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which settlements have been agreed; the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25792/03]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that 452 cases were subject to investigation arising from the Clerical Medical Insurance-NIB inquiry. To date, Revenue has collected €47.12 million in tax, interest and penalties as a result of the investigations. This is made up of €42.27 million paid in relation to 281 settled cases and €4.85 million in respect of payments on account in cases still under investigation. I understand that 98 cases were finalised with no additional liability arising and that 73 cases are progressing towards finality. Of these, 15 involve relatively small sums and are unlikely to involve significant liability.
Three cases were prosecuted this year with fines being imposed in two of them and a suspended sentence imposed in the other. The individuals concerned have also settled their tax affairs and paid the outstanding tax, together with interest and penalties. A further case is currently under investigation with a view to prosecution.
Aggregate results of the ongoing investigations have been published each year since 1998 in the annual reports of the Revenue Commissioners. Individual details of settlements have also been published where the provisions of section 1086 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 applied.
