Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am very interested in what the Minister of State told the House. Until recently I was unaware of the amount of smuggling that took place. I thought smuggled cigarettes were worth between €500 million and €750 million a year. It is clear from the figures the Minister of State has given us that it is probably a great deal more and that is only the tip of the iceberg. More interesting was the fact that in many cases people are smuggling counterfeit cigarettes, usually made in Asia and containing anything. Somebody who uses those counterfeit cigarettes or drugs is in serious danger of damaging his or her health. Cigarettes will damage one anyway but these will be even more damaging.

I learned recently that a counterfeit swine flu vaccine is being sold on the Internet. I do not know how easy it will be to combat that. The steps the Minister of State has taken are very worthy but we are unlikely to be able to cover all the areas we seek to cover. It is a reminder to us that the benefits of a border-free Europe also bring disadvantages. It is less easy to check and control goods and therefore information technology is essential. I attended a recent meeting about smuggled cigarettes and when I said that there was only one scanner in the country, I was corrected and told there is another coming in, which the Minister of State has confirmed. I am concerned that everybody knows about the scanners and apparently knows where they are. This is clearly a disadvantage. Maybe it is just too much information to give to gangsters and others who use this knowledge to their own benefit.

Senator Twomey touched on the role of the Revenue Commissioners and those who fight organised crime. It is a reminder to us of how much we need to continue to invest in that battle to protect ourselves. I support the Minister of State's motion. I had not realised the deadline. It is important we get this done and use all these facilities to combat this which is a threat not only to the Revenue Commissioners but to the health of the nation.