Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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79. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing a special task force to combat illegal tobacco and fuel smuggling here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9674/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the Revenue Commissioners work in close cooperation with other enforcement authorities in this jurisdiction and in Northern Ireland to combat fuel and tobacco fraud which are all-island problems.  The Cross Border Tobacco Fraud Enforcement Group and the Cross Border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group include representatives of the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána, Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Police Service of Northern Ireland and other relevant organisations. Both groups have proven effective in facilitating co-operation and supporting the identification and targeting of organised crime groups involved in tobacco and fuel fraud.

 Participation in the two groups is weighted in favour of enforcement staff carrying out investigations, which promotes a strong culture of cooperation. The Groups meet on a regular basis to review progress and plan activities, but there is continuous contact between enforcement staff across all of the agencies on live investigations.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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80. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the HSBC Swiss leaks scandal; and if he will make a complaint to the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9665/15]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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Tax evasion is a matter of serious concern because it deprives the State of revenues required to provide essential services and facilities for all of our citizens. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that confronting evasion in all its guises, including the use of offshore accounts for that purpose, is a priority for them. They draw on all available sources of information and intelligence, and cooperate closely with the relevant authorities in other jurisdictions, to identify and pursue those who seek to evade their tax responsibilities in this way. Their aims are to secure payment of monies owed and, where there is sufficient evidence of specific tax offences, to seek to have prosecutions brought.

As the Deputy will be aware from my reply to his Questions Nos. 79 to 81, inclusive, of 25 February 2015, investigations by the Revenue Commissioners relating to HSBC Bank, Geneva have resulted in settlement payments of €4,559,371, and a further €172,442 has been received as payment on account. Three convictions have been secured, resulting in the imposition of fines ranging from €4,000 to €25,000, and a further case remains under investigation. It is not open to the Revenue Commissioners to comment on whether any individual or corporate entity is under investigation by them with a view to prosecution, or as to engagement with other authorities on prosecution related matters.

I am advised that a detailed report on the overall investigation into matters relating to HSBC Bank, Geneva has been submitted to the Public Accounts Committee by the Revenue Commissioners.

Revenue has a considerable track record in tackling serious tax evasion through the use of offshore accounts and other mechanisms to hide taxable income.  Since 1998, Revenue has conducted a series of special investigations which yielded in excess of €2.7 billion in tax, interest and penalties. Revenue's approach has been adopted as best practice by the OECD and has been followed by other tax administrations. Considerable measures are now underway at OECD and EU level to improve the exchange of information between Revenue administrations to further limit the opportunity to avail of bank secrecy to facilitate tax evasion.

I want to commend Revenue on the pro-active role it has taken in relation to the tackling of tax evasion through the abuse of offshore accounts.