I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that in 2003 they commenced an investigation into the use of offshore bank accounts and other financial products to evade tax. During the initial phase of the investigation, taxpayers were invited to voluntarily disclose previously undeclared liabilities. Under the second phase of the investigation, the Revenue Commissioners obtained High Court orders. The High Court orders require clearing banks in the State to provide information to Revenue on details of transfers to and from the State involving a number of offshore jurisdictions. The orders include electronic transfers as well as cheques and drafts either drawn in the State and sent offshore or drawn offshore and sent to the State. This information was used to identify tax defaulters who had not come forward under the voluntary disclosure phase of the investigation. To date the offshore investigation has collected a total of €969 million in tax liabilities, statutory interest and penalties. This total relates to settlements agreed under both the disclosure phase of the investigation and the High Court orders phase.