Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I will be brief. Two weeks ago I raised the issue of the illegal importation of cigarettes. The figures involved are considerable, amounting to some €500 million to €750 million a year. What jolted me the most was the number of counterfeit cigarettes being imported into or produced in the country. All cigarettes are dangerous, but counterfeits are even more so.

My attention has since been drawn to the fact that counterfeit medicines, which are very dangerous, are also coming in. My attention was drawn also to the fact that in two countries in Europe - Italy and Belgium - they have found a solution they believe works, that is, a barcoding of medicines to enable pharmacists detect counterfeit medicines. I mention this because the figure I was given was 200,000 capsules or tablets coming into the country that are regarded as either illegal or counterfeit. It is possible to do something about it. They found a solution in Belgium and Italy. It is called track and trace. I ask the Leader to draw the Minister's attention to this as it is possible to use technology to solve these problems.