A Fianna Fail backbench TD, Mr Noel O'Flynn, has criticised the sweeping powers of investigation proposed for the Revenue Commissioners in the current Finance Bill.
The Cork TD last night issued a statement in which he described the powers as "too wide-ranging" in providing the authorised officer with "too much discretion" as to whether or not he should look into a person's bank account.
Earlier, at a Fianna Fail Parliamentary Party meeting, TDs urged the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, to introduce an appeals procedure for consumers.
However, Government sources later said the provision of an appeals procedure would pose difficulties and could "negate" the relevant proposals in the Finance Bill.
They told Mr McCreevy that "elderly people" came into their clinics "frightened" that the Revenue Commissioners could investigate their bank accounts.
According to Mr O'Flynn, if enacted, the Bill would interfere with a person's right to privacy.
