Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I an not so sure whether they were evasion or avoidance schemes. As the Deputy knows, avoidance schemes are not subject to recovery, but evasion is illegal and is subject to recovery in any circumstances and in any area of taxation. These matters are proceeded upon by the Revenue Commissioners. With regard to any issues they have sought to pursue, I have facilitated them either by way of legislation or administrative arrangement.

I do not have details of recently commenced inquiries into the construction industry which commenced during the course of 2006. Of the special investigations mentioned DIRT audits yielded €225 million, bogus non-resident accounts €627.2 million, off-shore assets €856.2 million, single premium policies €422 million, Ansbacher €68.4 million, NIB-Clerical Medical Insurance €59 million and tribunals €39.4 million giving a total of €2,297.1 million to date.

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