A fuel distribution company has lost its challenge against a tax bill of over €1.3m from Revenue over its failure to keep proper records of sales of large volumes of marked diesel to a customer suspected of involvement in fuel laundering.

The Tax Appeals Commission has dismissed an appeal by a retail bank that it could use its trading losses to write off a tax bill for almost €1.5m on rental income from repossessed properties.

Revenue is due to recoup €9.8m in outstanding tax from default cases arising in the three months to the end of June.

In its pre-Budget submission, the Law Society said there were "two obstacles to justice that require redress" this year.

Tax officials have been ordered to outline exactly how much money has been received from a small handful of Irish-based firms who owed €400m in unpaid corporation tax after all cases were “closed” at the start of this year.

The lack of resources at the Tax Appeals Commission (TAC) has led to a “Manuel from Fawlty Towers” situation, with thousands of cases backlogged in the system.

The body which oversees disputes over tax demands by Revenue has expressed concern about its ability to deal with cases following a near doubling in new appeals.

The Irish Examiner news team look at the findings in the Comptroller and Auditor General Report.

Motorists could be facing increased toll charges for using the M50 Westlink crossing and Dublin Port Tunnel as a result of a ruling from the EU’s top court this week.