Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too concur with the remarks made by Senator Gilroy on the need for a debate on mental health in September when we return after the summer break. I also add my sympathies to the family of the late Gerry Conlon and his fellow members of the Guildford Four. I agree that it is unfortunate that people knew who was responsible but never came forward and that those totally innocent men languished in prison while Giuseppe Conlon died in prison.

I welcome the news this morning that Revenue has seized €14 million worth of tobacco at Drogheda Port. It is the biggest find ever in Europe. Customs officers and gardaí recovered 32 million cigarettes and 4,000 kg of water pipe tobacco. I commend the customs officers and the gardaí on the excellent work they undertook to ensure the largest seizure in Europe was made. That is particularly welcome, as following a national survey by MS Intelligence between April and June of last year, Drogheda town has been found to have a high level of illegal cigarettes. My town of Dundalk was also found to have a much higher than average amount of illegal cigarettes. We all know the harm smoking legal cigarettes can do but we must consider that illegal cigarettes do not undergo the same product checks and are not bound by the same regulations as legal cigarettes. While they might be cheaper they also damage our local retailers. I welcome the statement by the retailers' association this morning that referred to the urgent need for the Revenue to get all the resources it needs-----