Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy regularly raises this issue with me and I know how important it is to the businesses and communities he represents. On a number of occasions when we have discussed this, I have made available to him information on the scale of seizures that are happening. He may be aware that as recently as April of this year, 2.9 million smuggled cigarettes were detected and removed in a single operation by the Revenue Commissioners. I will continue to respond positively to any proposals from the Revenue Commissioners in regard to additional resources or warranted powers they need. This represents a loss of revenue to our economy. It is illegal and on many occasions this revenue is used to fund further illegal and dangerous activities.

I am determined to support the Revenue Commissioners in any way I can as they seek to ensure they continue to have the upper hand in dealing with this illegal activity.

See this speech in context