John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise the question of a loss of revenue to the Exchequer. There is a serious situation where one third of the cigarettes sold in the State are illegal. They are illegal not only because they are brought in without any duty been paid, but also because they are not the original articles; they are cheap and very dangerous substitutes and people are seriously endangering their health by using them. However, this is not the main reason I raise the issue. I raise it because the same people involved in smuggling these cigarettes are also believed to be involved in smuggling drugs and people, which makes this a very serious issue. All of us wish to do the right thing. Many people buy Fairtrade goods because they know it will help somebody in a faraway country. Do people realise, however, that when they buy these cigarettes, they assist criminal gangs? This is something we need to address. I, therefore, ask the Leader to suggest we impose far more severe penalties for those who knowingly sell cigarettes which are forgeries and on which revenue has not been paid and that we ensure this is done in this term, if necessary by suggesting legislation in this House.

I commend the Government for taking the necessary steps and time to ensure bonuses would not be paid in the bank. Everything has changed and all of us - the public and private sectors and all sections of society - need to know there is a new dynamic and that we have to live within it. It is not that difficult, but we have to accept and embrace it.