Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

The Department of Finance, in consultation with the Revenue Commissioners, regularly reviews the legislative framework with regard to fines. The penalties for tobacco offences were significantly increased in the Finance Act 2010. The penalty for conviction on indictment increased from €12,695 to either €126,970 or up to three times the duty paid value of the goods, whichever is the greater, and-or a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years. The tobacco policy review group, which is chaired by the chief medical officer, will set the target figures after it has had a little more time to study the issue.

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