I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that I am aware of both the recent presentation by the former Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey at the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the report from Retailers Ireland entitled "Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime".
I believe we, in this House, are well aware that tobacco smuggling and the laundering of fuel has serious repercussions for the State and that these activities can not be tolerated. The loss of revenue to the State through these illicit activities has implications for the funding of our public services. The involvement of organised crime also presents a further challenge to the State in targeting these activities.
Of course, the lead role in combating cigarette smuggling, fuel laundering and counterfeit goods in this jurisdiction rests with the Revenue Customs Service, in the context of the investigation of revenue offences which occasion significant financial losses to the Exchequer.
Having said that, both the Revenue Customs Service and An Garda Síochána do continue to make significant efforts, separately and together, to disrupt the activities of those involved.
With regard to the role of An Garda Síochána in this area, the Policing Plan for the year 2012 sets out the continued commitment of An Garda Síochána to pro-actively target groups and individuals engaged in criminal activity, including organised crime activity. In this regard, An Garda Síochána continues to target groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, including those involved in the smuggling of cigarettes and the laundering of fuel. In particular, An Garda Síochána continues to provide ongoing support to the Revenue Commissioners in tackling this criminal activity.
In addition, multi-disciplinary approaches are applied to ensure the activities of individuals and groups involved in criminal enterprise are effectively targeted, including through the use of the proceeds of crime legislation, money-laundering legislation and the powers of the Criminal Assets Bureau.
As highlighted in the Cross Border Threat Assessment for 2012, fuel laundering and tobacco fraud continues to be a serious concern for authorities, North and South. Recognising these shared concerns, both a Cross-border Fuel Fraud Enforcement Group and a Cross Border Tobacco Enforcement Group Task Force have been established to target these activities on an all island basis.
These Groups comprise representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, HM Revenue Customs, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (UK), the Revenue Commissioners, An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau and have had many successes in tackling these forms of criminality.
I would like to take the opportunity to commend the law enforcement agencies, North and South, in their continued commitment to this form of enhanced joint cooperation.
For my part, I will continue to support An Garda Síochána in all their efforts to bring about the successful disruption and dismantling of those involved in these organised crime activities.
The Deputy also raised the issue of increasing the penalties for offences relating to these activities. The applicable penalties for such offences are provided for in the Finance Acts. Any amendment to the penalty provisions contained in those Acts is, of course, a matter for my colleague Mr. Michael Noonan TD, Minister for Finance.
