The figures also reveal that the CRO automatically struck 5,255 companies off its register during the year due to their persistent failure to file annual returns.

Despite the continuing crackdown on companies that miss their filing deadlines, the CRO estimates the 25% of Irish companies are breaking the law by continuing to do so.However, most late filings were down to forgetfulness, rather than any deliberate intent, according to Dominic Conlon, a partner at A&L Goodbody.

But he added that companies had to realise that the authorities had a number of tools with which they could punish companies that missed their deadlines, including fines, strikings off and disqualification or 12 months' imprisonment for their directors.

Conlon also said it was generally in the company's interest to file their accounts promptly. "One of the reasons why it is felt to be a good thing to file accounts is that third parties, such as banks, who want to deal with a company can check its accounts and assess its financial strength."

A spokesman for the CRO said that it did everything in its power to remind companies to file their returns on time, including writing to companies which had missed their deadlines, pointing out that they were in breach of the law.

"We run advertising campaigns in the national media, particularly at the time of our peak filing periods each year, reminding companies and their directors of the need to undertake their statutory filings, " he said.