Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I will be brief. I have nearly concluded. Of the €5 billion lost, much owes to the illegal importation and black market sale of cigarettes. The Government has not tackled this issue despite this measure to raise revenue and protect health. People are buying cigarettes on Dublin's streets and in towns and villages at half the price charged by retailers. Even a small proportion of the €5 billion would save the State money. This could be done by increasing the number of people working in customs. It would have a greater impact on smokers' health. Regardless of this increase, they will continue to use the black market, which the budget is leaving untouched.

See this speech in context