Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the announcement yesterday of the seizure at Drogheda Port of 32 million cigarettes and 4,500 kg of water pipe tobacco representing a retail value of approximately €14 million. We can imagine the loss to Revenue if those got into the market. It is the largest seizure of cigarettes in Europe this year. I hope there will be more such seizures. The illicit trade in smuggling on both sides of the Border, particularly in that area, is huge. Recently, I met two Northern retailers who are in the supermarket and fuel business. I was horrified to learn that close to the Border, and perhaps south of it, these large unmarked tankers are clearly visible. While we accept there is active co-operation and close harmony in working together between forces on both sides, we need more active working together and co-operation between the police, Customs and Excise and Revenue. If this is happening, and people are talking about it openly, I cannot understand the reason we have not had more seizures similar to what happened at Drogheda Port. On the fuel side, apparently, those who are engaged in this activity are very active. I am looking at Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill from a Border county and I think he is nodding in agreement. I raise the matter because it is extremely serious and the loss of revenue is huge. I hope more will happen in this regard.