I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.
I am aware that Revenue uses a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis. This strategy plays a key role in targeting the activities of organised crime groups responsible for much of this criminality who operate across multiple jurisdictions.
I am also aware that Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources in response to new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade. The smuggling of tobacco products has a transnational and cross border dimension and in addition to Revenue’s ongoing involvement in the Cross-Border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) and cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, I am advised that Revenue also works closely with international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.
I am advised by Revenue that it is conducting ongoing joint investigations with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as regards the illicit production of tobacco products. Since March 2018, Revenue has seized over 100,000kgs of raw tobacco. Four illicit cigarette manufacturing facilities have been discovered and dismantled on the island of Ireland as result of investigations by the JATF. These successful outcomes include the discovery of an illicit cigarette manufacturing facility in Co. Armagh in July this year as a result of a joint investigation by Revenue and HMRC. I am further advised that increases in the detection and seizure of illicit tobacco are due to continued cooperation and intelligence sharing with other national and international law enforcement agencies and Revenue’s advanced profiling methods and strategic use of appropriate detection technology.
I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area and I am satisfied that there is an appropriate focus on tackling this form of criminality.
