Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the increasing annoyance and frustration felt by accountants and other such professions regarding their relationship with the Revenue Commissioners in so far as bureaucratic procedures are concerned; his views on whether there is too much bureaucracy involved; if such bureaucracy will be reduced without prejudice to the necessary checks and balances that are a necessary part and parcel of taxation collection measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15273/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are not aware of increasing annoyance and frustration on the part of accountants.

Revenue operates a network of formal contacts with tax practitioners ranging from the Taxes Administration Liaison Committee (TALC) to local Revenue and Practitioner forums. TALC was established in 1989 and is a liaison committee between Revenue, the Irish Taxation Institute (ITI), the Consultative Committee of Accountancy Bodies of Ireland (CCAB-I) and the Law Society of Ireland. TALC is a forum for consultation and discussion between Revenue and practitioners on a wide variety of issues concerning the administration of tax in Ireland and meets regularly throughout the year. Regular meetings at Regional and District level between Revenue staff and local tax practitioner and their representatives further support TALC dialogue. Given such a wide network of contacts, Revenue would have expected to be made aware of such annoyance and frustration, but this is not the case. TALC produces practical suggestions for improved administration on an ongoing basis. For example, at the TALC meeting on 17 April, streamlined processes for issuing tax refunds to businesses were discussed and agreed.

In recent years Revenue has made many charges in the way it does business:

The Revenue Online Service (ROS) now allows tax accountants to file tax returns and pay their taxes on line. This has greatly streamlined the whole business of tax filing, the main point of contact between Revenue and tax professionals.

Revenue has simplified tax administration; for example, reducing the number of VAT returns for smaller businesses.

A new service, the Revenue Technical Service was set up to answer difficult tax queries from tax practitioners. Many more examples of simplification could be given. In 2006, Revenue surveyed small and medium-sized businesses and found that 84% of respondents were either "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with the service they get from Revenue. According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers/World Bank report "Paying Taxes 2009-The Global Picture", Ireland is the sixth 'easiest' country (out of 181 countries surveyed) in which to pay taxes.

While there is always room for improvement, I'm satisfied that Revenue is alert to the needs of business and has mechanisms in place to identify those needs, and is willing to respond where possible having regard to the necessary checks and balances to ensure compliance.

However, if the Deputy is aware of a particular issue, that matter should be brought to the attention of Revenue in one of the fora mentioned above.