Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Finance the progress made by the Revenue Commissioners regarding allegations that tax improprieties may surround trust operations at a bank (details supplied); if the Revenue Commissioners have reached a determination regarding whether these trusts facilitated tax evasion as distinct from tax avoidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2477/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that substantial progress has been made in relation to this inquiry. Arising from a voluntary disclosure programme 254 individuals came forward and made voluntary disclosures. To date, this programme has recovered in excess of €105 million for the Exchequer.

The Revenue Commissioners indicated previously that those individuals who fail to make disclosures under the voluntary phase of projects will be pursued with all means available. They advise me that through their investigations and inquiries they have now identified individuals who did not come forward during the voluntary phase of this particular project and are now actively pursuing them in relation to breaches of the tax code.

It is clear from some of the disclosures and the amount collected to date that in some instances taxpayers used trusts to facilitate tax evasion.