Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned to my colleague, Deputy Calleary, that while I do not have a difficulty with the increase in the price of cigarettes, the amount of illegal tobacco entering the State is a major issue, particularly in Border counties. The problem is also moving further south. Raising the price of a packet of cigarettes forces people to look for alternative sources of tobacco. People are hooked on cigarettes for whatever reason and are forced to support an illegal and illicit trade. What are the Government's options or plans to tackle the illegal trade in tobacco? While it is all very well to continuously increase the price of tobacco based on the indisputable fact that to do so is good for public health, a significant number of people are buying tobacco from illegal sources. What is the Government doing to clamp down on this practice?

See this speech in context