The Revenue Commissioners are empowered under section 1002 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to attach monies due from third parties (including financial institutions) to a taxpayer in discharge of that taxpayer's unpaid tax debt to Revenue. That section sets out clear and specific obligations on a third party served with a Notice of Attachment. It also provides a comprehensive framework for the institution of appropriate proceedings by Revenue where there is a failure by any party to comply with the specific obligations that follow the serving of a Notice of Attachment by Revenue.
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that it is their policy to invoke the necessary legislative sanctions where there is a failure by a third party to comply with the obligations set out under s1002 of the Taxes Consolidation Act.