16 Nov 2012, 16:57
Yesterday (Thursday 15th November 2012) Retail Ireland presented its report - Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime - to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, which highlighted not only a loss of much-needed money to the Exchequer, but that such trade also destroys sales and makes jobs more vulnerable.
Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “The retail sector is the biggest single employer outside of the public sector in the Republic of Ireland. But like other businesses in recent years, it is facing a number of huge challenges in a very difficult economic environment. However, it is also facing a number of unique challenges. The retail sector is the worst affected by black market and retail crime such as fuel laundering, sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol, counterfeit medicine and goods, entertainment piracy, shoplifting and theft. Legitimate shop-owners are finding it increasingly harder to cope with the illegal and counterfeit goods on sale at markets in towns and cities all over the country.
“I take the threat of the black market very seriously. It has been estimated by Retail Ireland that the black market is costing the exchequer €860 million annually while it endangers jobs in legitimate, tax paying retailers. In various areas such as fuel laundering, sales of illegal tobacco and alcohol, counterfeit medicine and goods and entertainment piracy retailers are losing legitimate income as criminals move in for a quick killing. The black market destroys sales and makes jobs more vulnerable.
“It’s clear that the consequences of the illegal trade in Ireland go well beyond losses to the taxpayer and the ordinary retailer, and its contribution to funding criminal gangs and terror groups is a very serious and worrying development that we must confront. Former Garda Commissioner Tony Hickey yesterday outlined the reality that it is the most violent and dangerous elements of our society who profit from black market activities such as fuel laundering and the illicit tobacco trade and that this funds drugs and violent crime.
“The Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation will host a series of regional meetings over the coming months to address a number of key issues facing the retail industry, particularly the impact of the black market, licensing requirements in the retail sector and future developments in the sector.
It is important that we as a committee with a remit in the area of jobs, enterprise and innovation continue to play our part in contributing to achieving progress on this subject and finding new potential solutions to the problem.”
The Committee will host two meetings with affected stakeholders at 10am and 11am in Waterford County Council offices in City Hall on Monday 19th November and a further meeting in Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny at 2.30pm.
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies: Dara Calleary, Áine Collins, Michael Conaghan, Damien English (Chair), John Halligan, Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, John Lyons (Vice-Chair) and Peadar Tóibín.
Senators: Deirdre Clune, David Cullinane, John Kelly, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn and Mary White
Notes to the editor:
Waterford Programme
09.30 a.m.
Waterford City Council,
The Mall, City Hall, Waterford.
Council Chamber, 1st Floor
10.00 – 11.10 a.m.
· Arch Research & Innovation Centre
· Irish Farmers Association (IFA)
· Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA)
· Deputy Mayor of Waterford
· RGDATA
· Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI)
11.10 a.m. – 12.20 p.m.
· IBEC, Retail Ireland, Topaz, Xtravision
· Irish Pharmacy Union
· National Pharmacy Union
· National Federation of Retail Newsagents
· Waterford Chamber of Commerce
· Waterford City Enterprise Board
· Waterford County Enterprise Board
12.30 p.m. sharp. departure for Kilkenny
Kilkenny Programme
Springhill Court Hotel
Waterford Road,
Kilkenny
2.30 - 4.30 p.m. Meeting, Kilkenny Suite 2
· Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan T.D.
· IBEC, Retail Ireland, Topaz, Xtravision
· Irish Farmers Association
· Irish Pharmacy Union
· Irish Road Haulage Association
· Kilkenny Borough Council
· Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce
· Kilkenny County Enterprise Board
· RGDATA
· RMI Investigations
· Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI)
4.30 p.m. departure