Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2021
216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated value of cigarettes and tobacco products seized by Revenue Commissioners’ officials at Irish ports and airports to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48207/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised 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.
I am 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 cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, I am advised that Revenue also works closely with its counterparts in other jurisdictions including colleagues in Northern Ireland through the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), and international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.
I am informed by Revenue that the following table outlines the volume and value of cigarettes and tobacco seized at ports and airports for the period I January 2021 - 31 August 2021:
|
- |
Cigarettes |
Estimated value |
Tobacco |
Estimated value |
|
Ports |
Number |
€ |
Kgs |
€ |
|
Dublin |
25,287,050 |
16,939,036 |
33,607 |
20,590,672 |
|
Rosslare |
6,153,340 |
4,121,937 |
1,122 |
687,438 |
|
Cork |
144,300 |
96,662 |
1 |
612 |
|
Airports |
||||
|
Dublin |
4,775,827 |
3,199,183 |
494 |
302,668 |
|
Shannon |
49,100 |
32,890 |
8 |
4,901 |
|
Cork |
13,980 |
9,364 |
7 |
4,288 |
|
Knock |
80 |
53 |
6 |
3,676 |
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.
