Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 September 2011
67 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Finance the quantity of illegal cigarettes that have been seized by Revenue so far this year by weight and value; the steps being taken to address the ongoing problem of illegal smuggling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25487/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that for the period January to August 2011 a total of 77.9m cigarettes with a retail value of approximately €32.8m and 6,683 kgs of tobacco with a retail value of approximately €2.4m have been seized. I am further informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax, and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that the strategies employed by Revenue to tackle this illicit trade are multi-faceted. They include ongoing analysis of the nature and extent of the problem, developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, ongoing review of operational policies, development of analytics and deployment of detection technologies, optimum deployment of resources at point of importation and internally to intercept the contraband product and to prosecute those involved.
Interception at the point of importation is achieved through a combination of risk analysis, profiling, intelligence, and the screening of cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages. Revenue enforcement officers also target this illicit trade at the post-importation level by carrying out intelligence-based operations and random checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises. Revenue also carries out regular multi-agency operations, particularly in relation to large maritime importations and in checks at inland markets.
They have established a high level internal group, chaired at Commissioner level, to examine the risks related to tobacco products tax and to oversee and optimise the detection of counterfeit and contraband tobacco products. This group has promoted a number of initiatives aimed at counteracting the illicit trade in tobacco. These include adoption of a comprehensive tobacco strategy and action plan.
Revenue continually reviews and updates their strategies and in July 2010, Revenue launched a series of nationwide tobacco ‘blitz'- type operations, which concentrated additional Revenue resources at ports, airports and at various inland retail points, including markets for the purpose of identifying illicit tobacco products. To date, Revenue has conducted seven tobacco ‘blitz' operations that have resulted in the seizure of in excess of 33.2m cigarettes. Another two large-scale nationwide operations are scheduled to take place during the last quarter of 2011. In addition to this, there is a programme of Regional level ‘blitz'-type operations that target markets and other distribution points.
