Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
141. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to reports by licensed retailers of cigarettes that illegal and smuggled cigarettes are being allegedly advertised on flyers and are being distributed throughout the town of Sligo; if he will advise of the actions that Customs and Excise officers are doing to prevent this activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43471/12]
View answerThe Revenue Commissioners are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products. They attach a high priority to this area, and they continuously review their response to the problem and their effectiveness in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. In 2010, Revenue established a high-level internal group, chaired at Commissioner level, to examine the risks related to tobacco products tax evasion and to oversee and optimise the detection of contraband and counterfeit tobacco products. This group has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at counteracting the illicit trade in tobacco. These include the adoption of a comprehensive tobacco strategy, which is underpinned by annual action plans. This 3-year (2011-2013) strategy, which is published on Revenue’s website www.revenue.ie, includes a series of programmes which are designed to complement each other in targeting the supply and demand sides of the market for contraband tobacco in Ireland.
Revenue’s strategic-level plans include ensuring that the legitimate trade remains compliant; delivering more effective and visible interventions through enhanced capability and better deployment of resources; further development of cooperation and intelligence sharing at organisational, national and international level; a commitment to prosecute all serious cases of tobacco tax evasion and a focus, in partnership with other Government agencies, on reducing the demand for contraband tobacco.
With regard to the activity referred to in the question, I am informed that Revenue regularly carries out covert and overt intelligence led operations in an effort to deter and detect these individuals. It is not possible or desirable for operational reasons to disclose any details in relation to these activities. It can however be confirmed that to date in 2012 (30/9/12) there have been 57 seizures of 120,000 cigarettes and 33 kg of tobacco in the County Sligo area.
If the Deputy has specific information that would be helpful to Revenue he may wish to contact their free phone number 1800 295295.
