Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, support the motion. Part of the tone of the debate has been questionable. I refer, in particular, to the comments on the lower socioeconomic sections of society, to whom some Members referred as the working classes and stated the measure before the House was a form of discrimination against them. It is an insult for anybody to say this. The people in question are very discerning and know that smoking is bad for their health. To say the increase in the excise duty on cigarettes is an attack on or discrimination against them by the Government or this Parliament is completely wrong and I would not like to be associated with the remarks made in this regard.

I echo the comments made by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy James Reilly, on the late Mr. Gerry Collins, whom the Minister complimented on the anti-smoking advertisement he filmed before he passed away and which is currently being shown on television. It is a powerful piece of advertising as to why people should not smoke.

In the context of the debate on the motion, it has been correctly stated the problem which arises is whether what we are doing will drive more people into the arms of those who conduct the illicit trade in cigarettes. That is the central concern expressed by most Members. Retail Ireland estimates the value of the illicit or illegal trade in certain goods, including tobacco, clothes, medicines, CDs, DVDs, etc., at €750 million per annum. Given that the Exchequer is missing out on this amount each year, we must ensure we get the balance right. Behind the illicit-illegal trade stands a huge gangland criminal network. We need to take on head on these forces of evil in our society.

Some of revenue that will be raised on foot of the measure before the House which will be the subject of almost unanimous support among Members should be used to provide An Garda Síochána with additional resources in order that it might tackle head on the forces of gangland criminality that are behind the illicit trade. If one walks up O'Connell Street or visits any of the fairs held throughout the county, one will be able to purchase illegal tobacco. This is a problem and we must provide An Garda Síochána with sufficient resources to take on the illicit trade. We must not drive more people into the arms of those who run the underground criminal network that is behind this trade.

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