asked the Minister for Finance, in respect of all oil companies operating in the Twenty-six Counties: (a) total turnover and (b) total tax paid to the Exchequer for the most recent 12 months for which figures are available and, if he is satisfied with the latter.

The number of oil companies is small so that to supply the information asked for would lead to the tax position of some of the companies becoming identifiable. In the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, it would not accord with the principle of observing secrecy in relation to taxation affairs of taxpayers if the information sought were to be given. However, the published accounts of oil companies may provide the information which the Deputy requires.

As to whether companies of the type to which the Deputy referred pay what might be regarded as a fair share of tax, this is a question of concern to many countries. The taxation of multinational companies is the subject of consideration at international level, under the auspices of the OECD, and this country is participating in the work.

If the published accounts of the oil companies concerned can provide the information sought by the Deputy why is there any objection to the Minister and the Revenue Commissioners providing it?

Because there is a very large distinction in principle and sometimes in practice between the Revenue Commissioners disclosing information about the affairs of an individual taxpayer and the taxpayer doing so. If a taxpayer chooses to do that, that is his business and we have no responsibility. The Revenue Commissioners are obliged for very good reasons to observe secrecy in regard to the affairs of an individual taxpayer.

Could the Minister tell us how many oil companies are involved? He said a small number were.

I cannot tell the Deputy that offhand. I am simply guessing when I say in the region of five or six.

Is the Minister seriously asking us to accept that giving global figures for tax paid by five or six very substantial companies would in some way expose the individual trading secrets of any one of those five or six companies? Does the Minister not find that difficult to accept?

I do not. That is the view expressed to me by the Revenue Commissioners and I have no reason to doubt it. In this case, as I have indicated, the information is probably available in the published accounts of the oil companies concerned.