Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the criticism of the Revenue Commissioner by the Institute of Taxation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33159/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have seen the recent newspaper report about the survey. Customer surveys can be useful in providing feedback on service delivery. In fact, I am advised that Revenue has recently conducted its own survey of SMEs, and while they are currently in the process of analysing the preliminary results, the indications from this survey are generally very positive as regards Revenue's service to businesses. I have also noted a recent comment by the Small Firms Association to the effect that they regard Revenue as being among the most proactive of Government agencies when it comes to empathising with the needs of small business. Therefore one needs to seek a balance in reporting on such matters.

I am advised by Revenue that they continuously examine ideas to further improve service to all their customers, including tax practitioners. Earlier this year, senior staff from Revenue conducted a series of interviews with the major tax practitioner bodies to seek their views on service issues and that ideas on further improving service to tax practitioners will be advanced through the Tax Administration Liaison Committee, which is made up of Revenue and representatives of the main Accountancy Bodies, the Law Society and the ITI.

Revenue continues to work closely with all tax practitioner bodies and clearly Revenue sees tax practitioners as very important to the smooth running of the self-assessment tax system. For example, at present some 70% of Income Tax self assessment returns are filed electronically — mostly by tax practitioners on behalf of their clients — through Revenue's on-line service (ROS), which has been a tremendous success.

I will be meeting with the Irish Taxation Institute shortly in the context of the pre-budget submission process.