14 Samh 2012, 12:30
Tackling black market and retail crime will be the focus of the Oireachtas Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation tomorrow, Thursday, 15th November when it meets with representatives of Retail Ireland and former assistant Garda Commissioner, Tony Hickey, Chairman of the Evaluation Committee and Advisory Board of Risk Management International.
Chairman of the Committee Deputy Damien English said: “In its Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime Report, Retail Ireland estimates that €861 million a year is now lost through people buying illegal goods. That is €4.3 billion over the next five years. The black market destroys sales and makes jobs more vulnerable. Legitimate shop-owners cannot cope with the illegal and counterfeit goods on sale at markets in towns and cities all over the country. It also loses huge sums of money to the Exchequer, money that is badly needed for many other projects.
The retail sector is the worst affected by black market and retail crime such as fuel laundering, sale of illegal tobacco and alcohol, counterfeit medicine and goods, entertainment piracy, shoplifting and theft. While there are penalties and some enforcement, Retail Ireland says that the vast majority of illegal activity goes undetected.
Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to discuss the report in detail, consider its findings and examine its recommendations with Retail Ireland. We will be particularly interested in hearing from Retail Ireland on the changes it would like to see implemented in terms of enforcement, penalties, resources and providing information to customers about the consequences of buying smuggled or fake goods.”
The Committee meeting will begin at 10am in Committee Room 3, Leinster House on Thursday, 15th November.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies: Dara Calleary, Áine Collins, Michael Conaghan, Damien English (Chair), John Halligan, Seán Kyne, Anthony Lawlor, John Lyons (Vice-Chair) and Peadar Tóibín.
Senators: Deirdre Clune, David Cullinane, John Kelly, Michael Mullins, Feargal Quinn and Mary White