Following the expression of concern by the Comptroller and Auditor General about the amount of £3,500 million still on the Revenue Commissioner's books, can the Minister tell us how long, under present procedure, he estimates it will take to assess and process the outstanding tax due?

The £3,500 million is not on the books of the Revenue Commissioners. The amounts have to be processed and the amounts due sent out for enforcement. Until the processing has been done it is not possible to give precise answers to these questions. The Deputy knows well that the amount in question is far below the amount he mentioned.

I suggest that the Minister pays the Revenue Commissioners commission in the same way as he does the county registrars. Why does he do it for one group of officials and not for another?