13 Márta 2013, 17:47
The Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality this afternoon met with the National Federation of Retail Newsagent, who outlined the impact of black market on their trade and offered proposed solutions to the problem.
13 March 2013
The National Federation of Retail Newsagents represents 1,000 retailers in every county across the island, including 400 retailers in the Republic of Ireland
Committee Chairman David Stanton, TD, said: “This afternoon’s meeting was a valuable opportunity for our Committee to engage with representatives from the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. Their candid and detailed presentation highlighted the impact of tobacco smuggling and subsequent sale of cigarettes from the black market.
“Committee Members were told that there is a particular issue around markets and fairs, where the fines available under the Casual Trading Act stand at €63 for first offences and €317 for re-offences. Federation Representatives expressed the view that a greater deterrent needed to be put in place. The Committee also heard innovative recommendations to combat tobacco smuggling, which include a smartphone app, more scanners in the main ports of entry and laws that criminalise consumers of illicit tobacco such as those that exist in the Province of Quebec.
“As well as leading to the loss of much-needed money to the Exchequer, the Committee was told that the black market trade encourages and supports illegitimate activity. Today’s meeting was a timely update for this Committee from the experiences of small retailers nationwide on the scale of the black market problem in Ireland. The Committee will now carefully consider some of the practical proposals put before us this afternoon and what actions, if any, we might take.”
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Committee Membership
Deputies: Niall Collins (FF); Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (FG); Alan Farrell (FG); Anne Ferris (LAB) [Vice-Chairman]; Seán Kenny (LAB); Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF); Finian McGrath (IND); John Paul Phelan (FG); David Stanton (FG) [Chairman]
Senators: Ivana Bacik (LAB); Paul Bradford (FG); Martin Conway (FG); Rónán Mullen (IND); Denis O’Donovan (FF); Katherine Zappone (IND)