John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That does not take from the fact that it is reported to us that there was a €48 million loss of revenue to the State because of the quantity of cigarettes and alcohol being smuggled through our ports. That affects small retailers. I understand that one can buy illegal cigarettes within a stone's throw of this House. There are known outlets that sell illegal cigarettes. There are individuals, and I would say businesses now, that are known to Revenue that sell single cigarettes. Likewise, when on looks at the trade across the Border, there is an amount of fuel, both coal and diesel, but particularly coal, coming in. The Minister of State has probably met the merchants' representative group. They constantly complain, and provide figures to back this up, that Revenue and the local authorities have not cracked down on the illegal transactions taking place. That is a huge concern. A lot of the highly populated areas here in Dublin almost have a shop selling illegal cigarettes. I cannot match that with the loss of revenue to the State and the need for more scanners. Has the Department ever received a request from Revenue to provide extra funding for scanners and other equipment that would intervene and stop the progress of these illegal imports?