Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 147: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views that sentences handed down for cigarette smuggling and illegal cigarettes are sufficient. [16766/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the courts are, subject only to the Constitution and the law, independent in the exercise of their judicial functions and the sentencing of offenders is clearly a matter for the presiding judge. As the Deputy will be aware the legislation in relation to fiscal smuggling including cigarette smuggling or illegal cigarettes is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance.