Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were a lot of comments anyway. I thank the Deputies for their contributions. On Financial Resolution No. 1, I thought it had been long established in this House that there is a very significant impact by tobacco and smoking on public health policy. We do not just close our eyes to that and say that it is a matter for private individuals. It has an impact on our kids, on our health services, and on society. It has taken far too many mums and dads away from their dinner tables. We know this is a policy that works. Deputy Howlin asked a specific question, which is valid, on what we are doing to tackle the illicit trade in tobacco which is a real problem. He will know about that from his time in government that there have been several legislative changes on this. Tobacco smuggling remains a very high priority area for Government. The 2018 survey carried out by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners showed that the percentage of illicit cigarettes has been on a downward trend from 15% of the total consumed in 2010 to 13% in 2018. It is fair to pay tribute to the Revenue Commissioners for their ongoing robust enforcement in this area. It should also be noted that the World Health Organization estimates that 10% of the global cigarette market is illicit. Last year Revenue seized about 68 million cigarettes with a value of €41 million but there is no room for complacency in this area and enforcement will remain a key priority.

Deputy Sherlock raised a very important point about what we can do to help people quit smoking, the cost of nicotine replacement products and so on. I had a very interesting meeting with the Irish Cancer Society on this and I will revert to the Deputy and work with him and the Joint Committee on Health on how we can look at the cost of quitting. The Deputy makes a fair point on that.

The moment of truth is about to happen in this House soon on carbon. It is very easy to back the fluffy, nice-to-do measures that we are in favour of in taking action on climate change. It is quite different to face up to the truth and to say that if we want to do it, it will involve a carbon tax.

See this speech in context