Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 107: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of persons, companies and trusts being investigated by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the Ansbacher accounts at the latest date for which figures are available; the number of cases in which settlements have been agreed and the total amount paid to date; the number of cases still outstanding; if additional action has been taken by the Revenue Commissioners arising from the report of the Ansbacher inspectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/04]

Charlie McCreevy (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that their Ansbacher review team has inquired into 289 cases to date and 60 of these cases have concluded settlements with Revenue. The 289 cases, taking account of spouses and connected companies, consist of 300 names. A total of 211 cases have been under active investigation. The remaining cases consist of 62 non-resident persons, including 17 former Irish residents, 12 individuals who claimed the 1993 amnesty provisions and four cases with insufficient identity information. The number of connected entities in relation to cases under investigation is nearly 700.

To date a total of €38.74 million has been received, mostly by way of payments on account, in respect of 79 cases. This is made up of 69 cases involving Ansbacher or Ansbacher type arrangements with payments received of €31.02 million and ten other cases involving offshore funds or deposits with payments received of €7.72 million. The 60 cases which have concluded settlements with Revenue consist of 28 cases which were settled with payments amounting to €16.10 million, included in the amount to which I have just referred, 25 non-resident cases which are covered by the provisions of double taxation agreements, five which had no additional liability and two which were covered by the 1993 amnesty provisions.

The information in the High Court inspectors' report has been carefully considered as regards the tax liabilities of the persons concerned. Revenue has also made an application to the High Court for access to the supporting papers to the report. The matter was heard by the High Court in November 2002 and judgement is reserved. Revenue has informed me that the investigations are time consuming and complex and are likely to continue for some time to come.