Vol. 512 No. 6
68 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Finance the loss to the Exchequer in excise duties due to the smuggling of cigarettes and tobacco products in recent years; the projected loss for 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26915/99]
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that due to its clandestine nature, it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate of the level of smuggling of tobacco products or its effect on Exchequer revenue. However, as a result of measures taken by the Revenue Commissioners and the Garda in the past few years to deal with this problem, there has been a noticeable decrease in illegal trading in tobacco products.
This year, customs officers have seized illegal tobacco products, including 70 million cigarettes, with an estimated retail value of approximately £12 million. This work is crucial to protecting both Exchequer revenue and the legitimate trade in this country and sends a positive signal to those involved in smuggling that revenue continues to be most effective in this area.
