Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 November 2014

Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform: Select Sub-Committee on Finance

Finance Bill 2014: Committee Stage (Resumed)

4:05 pm

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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I want to return to this point because I am not reassured by what the Minister said. I do not suspect that the Revenue Commissioners are sitting on their hands with information. The Customs official who is the manager for the Border region, Mr. Kelleher, put some very specific information into the public domain. In that interview he referred to 115 rogue fuel stations operating across the country. I want reassurance that there is an operation in place regarding each of those. I assume there is because I am sure the Revenue Commissioners would not have this list and be doing nothing about it. The numbers of petrol stations closed in the past have not been anywhere near that figure. I believe the report published in April mentioned 30 stations that were closed down last year. Some of them may not be controlled by the criminal gangs this individual was discussing because they can also be closed down for other reasons.

I want reassurance that there is an operation and that the Revenue Commissioners are focused on the issue and have the required powers. Does this legislation contain powers that the Revenue Commissioners are seeking to deal with this issue? Will it enhance their powers?