Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Food addictions create difficulties also, and this might need to be examined.

I cannot understand why the Department is selling itself so short with regard to the shadow economy. I refer to €20 million in respect of illicit cigarettes and fuel laundering. Will the Tánaiste explain why he is selling himself so short in this regard? If we examine the activities of the revenue authorities north of the Border, specifically regarding the identification of fuel-laundering facilities, we will note that in the last full tax year, 2012, they raised approximately €42.5 million more than we did in the South. Surely it would make far more sense if we redeployed some of the staff from the special investigations unit in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who are surplus to requirements there – there has been a 40% reduction in the budget – to deal with fuel laundering and the illicit trade in cigarettes and alcohol. They have the capability and skill set. The Revenue Commissioners and Customs and Excise staff involved in this type of work have said it is very labour intensive. Surely, by using existing staff in this role, we could dramatically increase the figure from €20 million. This would stop the undermining of Exchequer figures and the leakage of money because of criminal activity across the Border.

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