Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the current focus of their investigation is into undisclosed taxable sums invested in life assurance products and, in the first phase, to encourage as many taxpayers as possible to avail of the voluntary disclosure scheme which was announced on 11 April 2005. Following the voluntary phase of the investigation, Revenue will take steps to identify those who do not come forward and will actively pursue those who have outstanding liabilities. While the focus of this disclosure scheme is on individual taxpayers, if any evidence emerges that suggests that life assurance companies had any role in encouraging tax evasion, the issue will be fully investigated.

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