Garda Headquarters has reached a voluntary tax settlement of approximately €7 million with Revenue after an internal audit of its travel and subsistence scheme.
The audit revealed a discrepancy concerning allowances paid to officers seconded to work at big events that are far away from their stations.
Revenue insisted that food, travel and accommodation provided by the force to gardai working in such circumstances be treated as a benefit-in-kind, according to security sources.
Force management had argued this was unjustified, highlighting the impracticality for those who had completed long tours at big events to travel long distances home. Negotiations between the force and Revenue spanned a year, culminating in a process that led to the self-declaration. It is unclear if the outstanding monies will be deducted from garda salaries or paid by the force.
Drew Harris, the garda commissioner, has briefed Helen McEntee, the justice minister, on the matter in anticipation of its inclusion in forthcoming budgetary reports.
A spokesman for McEntee confirmed she had been advised of the corrective measures taken and the commitment to apply correct procedures going forward.
“The garda commissioner is…
