Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 512: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Office of Tobacco Control take in ensuring that counterfeit and illegal cigarettes do not make it to street markets; if they have discussions with the Gardaí regarding the steps they should take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24948/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that I have no ministerial responsibility with regard to the Office of Tobacco Control.

I am informed by the Department of Health that the Public Health (Tobacco)(Amendment) Act 2010 provided for the merger of the Office of Tobacco Control into the Health Service Executive, with effect from 1 January 2011. I also understand that that Office did not have a specific role in relation to law enforcement matters concerning illegal cigarettes. An Garda Síochána cooperate with other agencies, in particular the Customs Service of the Revenue Commissioners, in tackling this problem.