Mr. Joe Sweeney:

Senator van Turnhout asked about the transparency of tobacco companies. Our organisation receives support from a number of organisations that are jointly interested in supporting independent retailers. This extends beyond tobacco companies and where we have common interest, we are always happy to work with industry stakeholders. We never, however, compromise on our principle of being focused on our members' interests.

Codentify is a wonderful piece of technology. It is a track and trace method. A packet of cigarettes can be traced back to the machine that packed it. This also relates to the question about contraband cigarettes and illicit whites. While the contraband cannot be brought legally into the country under the badge of personal consumption, the proxy sale of the product is illegal. By using Codentify technology alongside the tax stamp, an app can determine immediately whether the product is duty paid or non-duty paid. We liken it to the road safety campaign. We are noted for having reduced road deaths in Ireland from 600 deaths a year to just over 100 deaths a year. This is a tool. We gave the tools to the Garda to implement road safety measures such as speed guns, breathalysers. We did not go the route of making it unattractive to drive. We did not debrand cars or make them all one colour.