Revenue Commissioners have collected more than €19m in tax, late payment interest charges and penalties following an audit of 128 hospital consultants.

The figures were obtained from the Department of Finance in response to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath, who described the figure as extraordinary.

It was recently reported that the Revenue Commissioners had concluded its latest investigation into the tax affairs of hospital consultants.

The main focus of this probe is the tax issues arising from consultants setting up their own companies to manage their funds.

In reply to Mr McGrath’s question, the department revealed that Revenue was looking at 331 cases of which 128 have been concluded.

This resulted in the collection of €19,199,325 in tax, late payment interest charges and penalties.

Mr McGrath said he was surprised by the scale of the settlements and questions had been raised.

A spokesman for the Irish Medical Organisation said that Revenue had informed it last summer of the investigation and it had advised its members they may be selected for an audit.

The spokesman added that as each consultant had individual tax arrangements they should consult their accountants.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association said it understood that it was part of Revenue's strategic plan to review the tax affairs of different professions and issue appropriate guidance.

But it added that despite repeated requests Revenue had failed to publish guidance in relation to consultants setting up their own companies.