THE Revenue Commissioners have been accused of failing to make any attempt to target drug dealers' profits. TDs from across the political spectrum spent more than an hour yesterday criticising the Revenue's position after hearing an official who tried to reassure them that the Revenue was doing its job effectively.
Mr Paddy Donnelly, of the Revenue's investigation branch, had told the Dail sub committee on drugs that the Revenue was "keenly interested... in playing a role in this area". However, he argued that the Garda and the Revenue had quite different roles, saying that it was for the Garda to gather information about drug dealing.
"We're hopeful that the gardai will produce for us a pipeline of, information", he said.
Mr Donnelly conceded that no one considered to be a drug dealer had been prosecuted for tax evasion during the past five years. But he blamed "misleading" media reports for creating an impression that the Revenue was ineffective.
All nine deputies who spoke after the presentation said that they were not reassured by Mr Donnelly's remarks.
Independent TD Mr Tony Gregory said that the official made it appear as if the drug problem had begun only a week or two ago, rather than 16 years ago. He said reports indicated some of the wealthiest drug barons had made their money and left the State.
He named "The Boxer, a Mr Mullins, who has set up business in London" and "The Penguin, named as a Mr Mitchell, who has gone to Amsterdam".
"And you tell me that you're going to get them? They've made their millions and cleared out," he told Mr Donnelly. Mr Gregory said that the official was "a fall guy for the Revenue Commissioners, doing his very best to explain away failure". Deputies wanted to know why the Revenue had no special unit to target drug profits. ,Mr Eric Byrne, of Democratic Left, said that he felt "terribly let down and shattered" because the Revenue did not see a need for an anti drugs task force.
Mr Brendan Kenneally, of Fianna Fail, wondered if there was "a certain amount of empire building in the various State agencies" which inhibited co-operation.