Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise, as I was delayed at another meeting. I welcome Mr. Sweeney, Mr. Mulligan and Ms Drennan and thank them for their submission. I wish to focus on the illicit trade in tobacco. I disagree with some of my colleagues. The submission relates, first, to the preservation of jobs in the retail sector and, second, to how we can improve the amount of tax we contribute to the Exchequer. That is the key issue in terms of the argument put forward by the witnesses. Having examined the issue and as a smoker, I am strongly supportive of the proposed solutions. I am aware of what is happening on the ground.

Senator Martin Conway said that 76% of what we pay for a packet of cigarettes goes straight to tax. People such as Senator Conway lecture us on costing the State money but we give approximately €1.2 billion every year in taxation to the Exchequer. A total of 29% of the population smoke. That is the reality and there is a market for those who wish to smoke. Does the federation want to regulate it and make it a professional service or does it want smoking to become an illegal service? That is the bottom line as far as I am concerned. In the past decade we spent hundreds of millions of euro, yet 29% of the population still smokes, as was the case ten years ago. One could ask where the money went and whether the approach worked. We must examine other policies. However, that is a health debate. I am speaking about jobs in this context.