asked the Minister for Justice if he can state what steps are being taken to prevent dealing in tobacco by unlicensed dealers, and if he will state the number of prosecutions for this office during the past year and the number of convictions secured.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TOBACCO DEALING.
I will answer this question. Under their standing instructions officers of Customs and Excise are charged with the duty of preventing the sale of tobacco by unlicensed persons and of reporting instances of unlicensed dealing to the Revenue Commissioners. The number of prosecutions for this offence ordered by the Commissioners in the year ended 31st March last was 13. In 12 of the cases the proceedings were withdrawn as the licences were taken out forthwith. The remaining case was taken into court and a conviction obtained.