Lorraine Higgins (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am very concerned by the ongoing rise in the black market and the devastating effect this is having on our retail sector. Everywhere I turn in Galway, I am told by retailers and their employees that they are being financially devastated by the sale of counterfeit products in unregulated and unpoliced markets and fairs which roll into country towns on a weekly basis. Meanwhile, hard-working retailers who pay rates and provide permanent employment to staff are routinely inspected to ensure they comply with the law of the land in terms of the sale of alcohol, cigarettes and fuel. What is most unfair for these law-abiding retailers is that they must witness a situation in which there are few or no inspections, let alone prosecutions, for the illicit activities being carried out by some unscrupulous traders at markets and fairs, where, for example, DVDs sell for a few euro and 20 cigarettes sell for approximately ¤4. This contrasts sharply with the retail prices of these items, which include various duties and VAT through which retailers make a real contribution to the Exchequer. This is a scandal. The evidence is compelling that we need a concerted effort to get serious about this form of criminal activity.

We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this illicit activity. We must be mindful that it is by no means a victimless crime. The State is being defrauded in the first instance, the taxpayers of Ireland are being defrauded and hard-working retailers are experiencing inequitable application of the laws of the land. I call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to get tough on these people and make them pay their way, like millions of other citizens. By continuing to turn a blind eye to this situation, we are, at best, aiding and abetting these individuals in breaking the law and, at worst, helping to fund criminal gangs. We must put a stop to this now.