Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that substantial progress has been made regarding this inquiry. Arising from a voluntary disclosure programme, 254 individuals came forward and made voluntary disclosures. To date this programme has recovered in excess of €105 million for the Exchequer.

Inquiries by the Revenue Commissioners have identified those individuals who failed to make voluntary disclosures. They are under investigation by the investigation and prosecution division of the Revenue Commissioners. It is clear from some of the disclosures and the amount collected to date that in some instances taxpayers used trusts to facilitate tax evasion.

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