Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 96: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will report on the number of illicitly imported tobacco products that have been seized by An Garda Síochána and Revenue officials in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; if he will raise the issue of the alleged importation of counterfeit tobacco products with his Chinese counterpart, given current allegations that most of these illegal products originate in China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21727/11]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for the collection of tobacco products tax and for tackling the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products, that the figures requested are as follows: Seizures of smuggled cigarettes

Seizures of smuggled tobacco

*Jan to June 2011

The above quantities include tobacco products seized by the Gardaí and subsequently transferred to Revenue custody.

Of the above cigarette total the following quantities originated in China, all of which have been confirmed as counterfeit:

I am advised that there is an ongoing exchange of intelligence in relation to cigarette smuggling between the Revenue Commissioners, other Member States, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and third country Customs Administrations. In April 2005, the Chinese Government signed an agreement between the European Union, including its Member States, and the People's Republic of China on co-operation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters. This agreement provides the legal basis for OLAF, or an individual Member State, to seek the assistance of the Chinese Authorities in the course of cigarette smuggling investigations.

The European Commission, through OLAF, has established a special Unit titled Task Group Cigarettes to assist Member States in their investigations where the assistance of third country authorities is required. This Unit has an overseas officer stationed in Beijing on a permanent basis. The Revenue Commissioners have availed of the assistance of this posting to enhance liaison with the Chinese Authorities in the course of its investigations into large maritime seizures of contraband cigarettes originating in China.

The Revenue Commissioners regard the tackling of the illicit trade in cigarettes and tobacco products to be a high priority. Their strategy includes the development and sharing of intelligence on a national, EU and international basis; the use of analytics and detection technologies; and the optimum deployment of resources at points of importation and inland to intercept contraband tobacco product and to prosecute those involved.