Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a Garda file has been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions, arising from the seizure of 120 million cigarettes at Greenore, County Louth in October 2009; the estimated value of the cigarettes seized; if the vessel (details supplied), alleged to have been involved in the incident, is still detained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46164/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Operation Samhna resulted in the seizure of contraband cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €46.7 million at Greenore Port Co. Louth in October 2009. The Operation was led by the Revenue Customs Service, and supported by An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Irish Naval Service, and the Air Corps. Officers from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Police Service of Northern Ireland were also present.

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that a file has not yet been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions either by the Gardaí or by the Revenue Commissioners as the investigation is not yet completed. The completion of the investigation is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners as they have primary responsibility for tackling cigarette smuggling.

I am further informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the vessel involved in the conveyance of the cigarettes to Ireland was released on 6 November 2009 after it was established that neither the owners of the vessel nor the company to whom it had been first leased had any involvement in the smuggling operation.