Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I reiterate what Senators Norris and Coffey stated, that all of us in this House fully support the necessary powers for the Revenue Commissioners to deal with tax evasion and tax defaulters. Clearly, no one seeks to make excuses or any case for tax evasion or tax default. In the Labour Party, we are very much in favour of rigorous methods being used in accordance with law to deal with tax evasion.

There was a reasonable question. I asked the Minister of State earlier to what extent this recommendation represents an expansion of the powers of Revenue under section 1002 and I did not hear a satisfactory answer to that question. Senators have raised valid concerns about expansion of powers without in any way attempting to speak against Revenue powers to deal with tax defaulters.