Press release
Minister for Finance announces the appointment of new Appeal Commissioner for the purposes of the Tax Acts
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan TD, has announced the appointment of Mr Mark O’ Mahony as an Appeal Commissioner for the purposes of the Tax Acts.
Mr O’Mahony took up duty on 9th November 2015.
Announcing the appointment the Minister said:
“I am delighted to announce this appointment which follows an open recruitment process conducted by the Public Appointments Service. I look forward to the new Commissioner playing a significant role in the implementation of the reforms of the tax and duty appeals system contained in the Finance (Tax Appeals) Bill 2015 which is proceeding through the Houses of the Oireachtas."
Mr O’Mahony is a Barrister who has specialised in the areas of tax and company law.
The Minister expects to make another appointment as Appeal Commissioner in the near future.
ENDS
The Finance (Tax Appeals Bill) 2015 was published in July 2015. This followed the commitment given by the Minister in his Budget statement 2014 to reform the role, functions and structure of the Office of the Appeal Commissioners. The objective of the proposed reforms is to improve the administration of the tax system, and provide enhanced arrangements for an independent, efficient, well-defined, clear and transparent system for appeals relating to decisions of the Revenue Commissioners, while delivering value for money and increased certainty for both taxpayers and the State.
Following the Minister’s announcement, the Department of Finance conducted a public consultation on the proposed reforms. Submissions were received in the main from representative bodies within the industry, from some tax practitioners, and from the Citizens Information Board on behalf of the taxpayer, as well as from the Revenue Commissioners. The department also had further engagement with the Revenue Commissioners and the representative bodies. These consultations have identified a wide range of proposals for reform.
One of the main proposals was to strengthen the independence, and the perceived independence, of the Appeal Commissioners. The measures to achieve this contained in the Bill include the establishment of a new Tax Appeals Commission to operate the revised arrangements. The Bill defines the functions of the new body and provides for appropriate selection and appointment provisions for Appeal Commissioners involving the Public Appointments Service, fixed-term appointments, a clear statutory statement of independence and new staffing arrangements. The recent recruitment process for new Appeal Commissioners was conducted by reference to the relevant provisions of the Bill.