Is there any provision in relation to interest on tax repayable, or is this a "goose and gander" situation again?

I assume that it would be deducted from the amount due and that the charge of tax would be on the amount due rather than on the full amount payable without taking into account any refund that might be forthcoming.

If a person is due a refund is there a similar interest arrangement in his favour? This would also be an incentive towards a prompt repayment of tax on the part of the Revenue Commissioners.

I understand that Deputy FitzGerald had some amendments down to this effect and they were ruled out of order as proposing a charge on revenue. I agree in principle with the idea, but there are some practical difficulties in working it out. I will undertake between now and Report Stage to have a look and see if we can do something about it. I am in agreement with the principle.

There is provision at the moment in relation to income tax?

There is, yes. It is not exactly a comparable situation.

It could be changed simply by inserting the words, "where any amount of tax becomes payable or repayable".

It would be a good idea to introduce it because then some of us who have been over-charged under PAYE might get our money back.

One of the difficulties is that the interest provision, to which Deputy Collins referred, does not apply to PAYE.

You are telling us!

I think Deputy Gallagher suggested earlier that it would be unlikely to arise under VAT and I think he is right. These are some of the things I want to have a look at.

Fair enough. Under what section?

I assume it would be section 21, which deals with interest.