Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take arising from Chapter 2.5 of the Comptroller and Auditor Generals Annual Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33089/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The 2005 Annual Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General deals with the work of a number of Government Departments. Chapter 2 is devoted to the tax collection and enforcement activities of the Revenue Commissioners and section 5 of that Chapter deals specifically with Revenue prosecutions for serious tax evasion.

The introduction to this section summarises Revenue's evaluation procedure for the selection of cases for prosecution. This vetting policy takes account of a number of factors, in particular the high evidential standard required for criminal prosecution and the seriousness of the offence in question.

The Report goes on to outline the court results of Revenue's prosecution activity in 2005 in relation to serious tax evasion. There were in fact thirteen convictions of companies and individuals in relation to ten Revenue prosecutions. This is the highest conviction figure for serious tax offences for any full year to date and reflects a new focus and determination on the part of Revenue to have prosecution as a feature of their response to serious tax evasion. In addition to the figures in the Report, there were also twelve Customs & Excise convictions for serious smuggling offences resulting in suspended sentences totalling twelve years and fines totalling €10,865.

I am satisfied that the Report reflects the increased success achieved by Revenue in its fight against serious tax evasion and in attaining the goals set out in its Statement of Strategy 2005-2007. I am confident that this progress will continue.

The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General will be considered by the Public Accounts Committee who may issue a report and recommendations on the same to me in due course. I will respond to any such report.