asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the income tax return forms for 1988-1989 were posted to taxpayers in clear cellophane envelopes; if so, the approximate number which were posted in this manner; and if it is his intention to use such cellophane envelopes in the future for confidential income tax forms.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they have been using polythene wrappers for issuing large volumes of forms since 1986 because a survey carried out then showed that savings in manpower, material and postage costs could be achieved by using this method of despatch. Material of a confidential nature is enclosed in opaque polythene. Material of a non-confidential nature is enclosed in clear polythene. Blank forms are normally treated as non-confidential material. About 245,000 income tax return forms 11 have been issued in respect of the 1988/89 tax year and about 220,000 PAYE return forms 12 will be issued shortly.