Mr. Joe Sweeney:

The Office of Tobacco Control is responsible for implementing the regulation and it franchises that out to the HSE. The HSE's own survey of registered and licensed retailers indicates they are 98% compliant. Our organisation agrees with that because we carry out our own survey. The Deputy is correct in stating that cigarettes are available in shops. They are available in chip shops and in a number of different outlets under the counter. These are known to those who purchase counterfeit cigarettes and they are available in a number of shops that are run and operated by foreign individuals.

We know this because it has been reported to us as well.