Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
472. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the value of cash, valuable metals and jewels and or jewellery seized at State-owned and private airports and ports of entry and exit; the value of same returned on appeal and or request; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38696/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 it can detain cash amounts of €1,000 or more which are suspected to be the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity. When cash is detained, an application is made by Revenue to the Courts requesting further time to investigate the source of the cash. The Courts, once satisfied with the application, may grant a detention order for a period of up to three months and for a total duration of no longer than 24 months to allow Revenue to carry out a comprehensive investigation with a view to having the money forfeited to the State, where appropriate.
I am advised by Revenue that there have been no seizures of cash at private airports and ports in the period 2019 to date in 2023. The table below outlines the value of cash seized at State ports and airports from 2019 to date 2023, and cash returned directly relating to those seizures. The cash returned value is related to the original cash seizures for each year even where the cash is returned in a subsequent year.
|
Year |
Location |
Cash Seized |
Cash Returned |
|
2019 |
Dublin Airport |
€435,768 |
€81,103 |
|
Dublin Port |
€189,420 |
€9,410 |
|
|
Knock Airport |
€10,025 |
€0 |
|
|
Rosslare Port |
€38,567 |
€38,567 |
|
|
Shannon Airport |
€27,050 |
€0 |
|
|
2020 |
Dublin Airport |
€408,846 |
€51,845 |
|
Dublin Port |
€55,471 |
€14,865 |
|
|
Rosslare Port |
€791,385 |
€77,470 |
|
|
Shannon Airport |
€8,100 |
€0 |
|
|
2021 |
Dublin Airport |
€218,651 |
€97,058 |
|
Dublin Port |
€176,947 |
€62,761 |
|
|
Rosslare Port |
€234,180 |
€19,810 |
|
|
2022 |
Dublin Airport |
€343,470 |
€19,885 |
|
Dublin Port |
€868,376 |
€0 |
|
|
Rosslare Port |
€22,050 |
€6,550 |
|
|
2023 (to 31 August) |
Dublin Airport |
€2,258,061 |
€0 |
|
Dublin Port |
€321,919 |
€4,065 |
|
|
Rosslare Port |
€40,953 |
€9,250 |
|
|
Shannon Airport |
€9,500 |
€0 |
As previously mentioned, on the basis of renewed detention orders granted by the Courts, Revenue has a maximum of 2 years to investigate cash detentions/seizures. As a result, a proportion of cash seized in 2021, 2022 and 2023 is continuing to be investigated, impacting on the value of returns for these years.
The importation of goods, including valuable metals, jewels, and jewellery, from a third country must be declared to Revenue and are liable to customs duty and VAT, if applicable, on importation. I am advised that there have been no seizures of valuable metals and jewels and/or jewellery at private airports and ports for the years 2019 to date. In respect of State ports and airports for the period in question, I am advised that there were no seizures of valuable metals or jewels for the requested years. The value of jewellery seized, and the value of jewellery returned are outlined in the table below.
|
Year |
Location |
Value of Jewellery Seized |
Value of Jewellery Returned |
|
2019 |
Dublin Airport |
€4556.63 |
€4,416 |
|
2020 |
Dublin Airport |
€68,689.37 |
€67,639 |
|
2021 |
Dublin Airport |
€4150 |
€ 0 |
|
2022 |
Dublin Airport |
€38,268 |
€38,268.34 |
|
2022 |
Kerry Airport |
€21,689 |
€21,689 |
Jewellery seized by Revenue at ports and airports may be released on payment of the applicable VAT and Duty. It should be noted that a valuation is sought from the Assay Office to determine the correct value of the jewellery which will represent the value for Customs Duty and VAT payable. The importer may appeal this valuation to Revenue and will be required to provide documentation to support any appeal.
