82 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance if individuals who have had illegally held offshore accounts, including Ansbacher accounts, have voluntarily declared these accounts; if so, the amounts of unpaid taxes, individually and collectively, which have been repaid to the Exchequer; the amount of tax, including penalties, which is outstanding to the State from such accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5601/02]

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the investigation of offshore funds and deposits, which may not have been disclosed for tax purposes, including Ansbacher accounts, is an integral part of Revenue's operations.

A relatively small number of cases involving offshore funds or deposits would have made voluntary declarations to Revenue over the years. The liabilities in such cases would normally involve items in addition to the offshore funds, for example, capital gains, undeclared rents and suppressed drawings of funds from a business. The ingredients of settlements vary from case to case and statistics on the ingredients of settlements are not retained. In addition, payments made in confidence under the terms of the 1993 amnesty may have covered funds in offshore accounts. In the circumstances it is not possible to provide the overall figures requested.