Revenue Commissioners Come Under Pressure To Prosecute Tax Dodgers

by Amanda Banks, Tax-News.com, London

12 July 2002

Following the release of the Ansbacher report last weekend, a special one day debate was held in the Dail, during which the Revenue Commissioners came under substantial pressure to prosecute those involved in the long-running tax fraud scheme.

In the last session before the summer recess, Fine Gael Finance Spokesman, Phil Hogan argued that in light of the devious methods employed by more than 90 of the Republic's political and business elite to evade taxes via Ansbacher (Cayman) Bank, monetary penalties are not sufficient.

As well as calling for the 'full rigour of the law' to be brought to bear on the high profile tax evaders, the Irish Independent reported on Thursday that the Fine Gael spokesman also called for the re-opening of previously held tax amnesties, in order to ascertain whether former Ansbacher clients made use of the amnesties without disclosing full liability.

Labour's Finance Spokesman, Tommy Broughan also weighed into the fray, according to the Independent, calling for a sea-change in the way tax evasion is dealt with in Ireland, and a move towards prosecution rather than settlement in confirmed cases.

Tanaiste, Mary Harney yesterday stressed the need to be vigilant and proactive in seeking out any other such schemes which may be taking place in the RoI. The one-day session concluded with questions from interested TDs.

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