Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to comment on the same topic with regard to the illicit trade of cigarettes. We were talking about all of the taxes earlier on with regard to the supply of coal. There is an enforcement issue here when we have public policy for the benefit of the health of individuals and families, but also when it comes to climate matters and the aims we have there. As a Government we must look at enforcement around the illicit trade of tobacco and the importation of coal because I can see that is quite common now. In many cases, we try to ban the smoky coal, but in addition to that, we have to impose carbon taxes and so on. It is very clear from talking to suppliers and retailers of coal that jobs are being affected with coal and cigarettes coming in from outside of the State.

This is a two-pronged issue. It will affect businesses and jobs but it will also affect the health of our nation. I do not believe there is enough of a campaign around that to get the message across that, in effect, it is illicit trade. Those involved in it do not realise they are doing this. Some are doing this because of an affordability issue. Others are doing it for other reasons but it is affecting residents here and our health. It is also affecting small businesses and jobs and I believe we have a piece of work to do here. It involves Revenue and other agencies in pulling a plan together. Local authorities are involved but nobody really seems to own the campaign to stop it. We need to do more in the messaging around that, together with enforcement, to be fair to all involved. These comments are not just for today's discussion but I wanted to make the point when we were discussing this issue.