Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Illicit Trade

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 September 2020

Wednesday, 16 September 2020

Ceisteanna (30)

Marc MacSharry

Ceist:

30. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the measures in place to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in products such as tobacco, alcohol and fuel products and to ensure smugglers do not take advantage of the green lane corridors established during Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24264/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am assured by Revenue that combatting the threat which cross-Border smuggling and the illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and fuel products pose to legitimate business, consumers and the Exchequer is a priority for them.

Revenue acts against all aspects of the illegal tobacco trade and uses a combination of risk analysis, profiling and intelligence, and risk-based screening of cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages to intercept illicit products. Action after importation includes checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises.

Illicit trade in alcohol can occur through the diversion of untaxed alcohol onto the market, through the production of counterfeit alcohol and through smuggling from countries with lower taxes. Revenue takes appropriate action where illicit activity is detected and this action is informed by intelligence on criminal activity and risk-based examination of commercial traffic and stock in retail premises.  

Steps taken by Revenue to combat the illegal fuel trade include the introduction of stringent supply chain controls and reporting requirements, and a rigorous programme of enforcement action. In addition, Revenue and the UK Revenue and Customs undertook a joint initiative to introduce a new marker for use in marked fuels, which came into operation from April 2015. The industry view is that the actions taken have been successful in curtailing fuel fraud.  

Revenue and An Garda Síochána collaborate closely and with their counterparts in Northern Ireland, in the framework of the North-South Joint Agency Task Force, in acting against tobacco, alcohol and fuel crime. This cooperation plays a key role in targeting the organised crime groups responsible for much of this criminality, who operate across jurisdictions.

Regarding the movement or importation of goods into Ireland, Revenue implements a risk-based profiling approach which is designed to facilitate the legitimate movement of goods and to secure payment and collection of duty and VAT, as appropriate, while also protecting citizens, trade and the environment. During the ongoing COVID19 pandemic, in order to “green route” critical legitimate pharmaceutical products and medicines, Revenue has prioritised the processing of declarations relating to these products at ports and airports to ensure their uninterrupted importation and supply. Where compliance risks are identified in any shipment as a result of risk profiling, Revenue take the appropriate action to address the risk including documentary checks, physical inspections and the deployment of Revenue resources including staff, detector dogs and Revenue’s mobile scanner.

I am satisfied that Revenue’s work against cross-Border smuggling and the illicit trade in tobacco, alcohol and fuel products has achieved a considerable level of success. I am also satisfied that Revenue’s risk profiling regime addresses the ongoing risks posed by smugglers and organised crime gangs and that the cooperation at a national and international level is maximising effectiveness in combatting illegal and criminal activity.

Barr
Roinn