Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figures are substantial because the price differential is very large. Apparently, a person can buy cigarettes on the black market at a quarter or a fifth of the price in a shop. A shop may charge €10 for a packet of cigarettes that is sold for €2 or €3 on the black market. That is a major incentive for crime, as the Chairman mentioned. The penalties for bringing in cigarettes illegally are absurdly low. These products arrive in 40-foot containers and not handbags or suitcases. If the shippers could be fined €100,000 or €250,000, they would be more careful about the cargo taken on board and prevent illegal products from using their ships. It is not for me to ask some questions and if I am lucky, some journalist might pick up on the issue. As part of the presentation, the witnesses should articulate the answers and help us make them a reality.

With regard to Mr. Lyons's comments, I agree that a site value tax is the way to get optimum use from land and resources in an economy. If it is introduced at a low level, it could be done fairly. I have not seen practical worked examples of how people would have to complete a form or valuation on a self-assessed basis. We have been told that a decision has been taken and the Government wants to collect this through the Revenue Commissioners. That is a given unless there are strong reasons for this not to be the case. Perhaps it should. How can we get a simple form together so people can provide their own self-assessment?