Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too wish to address the issue raised by Deputy Fitzpatrick, that is, the illegal tobacco products that, unfortunately, are prevalent in so many communities. I have heard of people going door to door in housing estates, selling these illicit products. Members can imagine the damage that is doing to human beings. In the Border area, there was enough damage done to vehicles and legitimate businesses as a result of the washing of diesel and the stretching of petrol by those gangs and criminals who inflicted so much damage on communities. I heard that there have recently been large seizures of raw tobacco. If that is the case, it indicates there is a factory or factories manufacturing these illegal cigarettes. I would like to get an assurance from the Tánaiste that the Revenue Commissioners will have the resources to tackle such scourges. I refer to the damage being done to people's health by this illicit product and those making monetary gains without thought for the health of innocent people.

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