Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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There is the black economy but there is also the smuggling of diesel, cigarettes and other excisable items. Obviously, Revenue is focusing on that. The black economy always increases as the economy starts to grow, particularly in the early stages of the stabilisation of the home economy. I suppose it is better to have people working. We need them to work in the white economy, if I can describe it like that. There is no great particular emphasis on it. Revenue does this work all the time.

I understand that Revenue reached 1 million local property tax files last night or early this morning. The overall level must be close to 60%. I have seen some interesting information. I think they are doing pretty well. As of today, 22 May 2013, over 1 million local property tax returns have been filed. Some 70% of the returns received have been filed electronically and some 30% have involved paper returns. Revenue is on target to reach the expected compliance level of 80% before it has to take any other measures. When I was dealing with a question on this issue at 9.45 a.m. yesterday, it had reached a level of 57%. Now that it has reached 1 million, one can do the maths oneself. It is in or around 60% now. I would think it is slightly below that level. It is coming up to 60%.