Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Something dramatic has to be done to deal with this issue. Some of the facts the Minister mentioned in his reply highlight my concerns that this problem is actually growing. There is now about €1.6 billion of disputed tax caught up in the tax appeal system. There are more than 3,600 cases and the number is growing month on month because if the commission is receiving about 200 appeals per month, it is not concluding a fraction of that number of cases every month. The problem is getting worse. Having an efficient tax appeals commission is a vital part of the administration of taxation in our country as I am sure the Minister will agree. I do not know if extra resources and larger budgets are the answer, but an answer is needed. This problem is getting worse and it has to be addressed urgently.

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