Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. O'Driscoll's comment that just because a decision is made to decriminalise a particular type of drug does not mean the criminal drugs gangs will not continue with their enterprise is very important. Cigarette smuggling was referenced in this regard.

Retail Excellence Ireland appeared before the committee recently on a different matter. That agency stated that it would be willing to fund the use of scanners of containers at ports. This would require the provision of hand held devices which could be used to scan containers to see if, for example, cigarettes were legal or not. Many people say we should ban cigarettes. However, they are legal. Those who smoke pay a huge amount of tax on the cigarettes they purchase, which tax will be used to fund the health services they will probably require when they end up in hospital at some future point because they smoked so many cigarettes. When speaking about drugs it is important we speak about all things that damage our health, including alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Currently, it is approximately €10 for a pack of 20 cigarettes. However, it is possible to buy them illegally for half that price. This means a reduction in taxes for the Exchequer and a consequent reduction in health services provision. Cigarettes are legal on the basis of the amount of taxes they bring in for the Exchequer. That is the understood public principle in this regard. Therefore, cigarette smuggling undermines all of this.

What is the Garda Síochána strategy and approach to tackling cigarette smuggling? This is related directly to the topic we are discussing now. If we are to consider decriminalisation of particular drugs we need also to ensure that we tackle the criminal enterprises. An education policy only is not sufficient. There will always be a role for law enforcement and tackling those who are acting illegally. If we are to allow people to legally take alcohol, cigarettes and drugs then there needs to be a tax return to support the health services that will be required into the future to help them when they experience health difficulties. This is where the criminal justice agencies come in. What is the Garda Síochána strategy around cigarette smuggling? Is it working with Retail Excellence Ireland to tackle the issues and take on board the offer it has made? Can we then with confidence say if we ever were to consider decriminalising drugs that the same approach would be taken in that regard?