Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of his public statement in the aftermath of the recent Crumlin shooting that the gangs responsible were likely to be involved in cigarette smuggling, if he intends to conduct a review with the Gardai on the measures they have in place for enforcement against this ongoing problem; if his attention been drawn to the fact that the Department of Health supports international developments in relation to plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products; if he will confirm whether he has already, or will in the future, enquire with the Gardai whether the introduction of plain or standardised packaging for cigarettes here could have a negative impact on the illicit cigarette trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48112/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that the lead role in combating cigarette smuggling in this jurisdiction rests with the Customs Service, in the context of the investigation of revenue offences which occasion significant financial losses to the Exchequer. Revenue has adopted a comprehensive tobacco strategy which is published on Revenue’s website www.revenue.ie. The strategy includes a number of programmes, which are designed to complement each other in targeting the supply and demand sides of the market for contraband tobacco in Ireland.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána provides ongoing support to the Revenue Commissioners in tackling this form of criminal activity and there continues to be close and effective liaison in this regard. As a feature of this, An Garda Síochána continues to proactively target groups and individuals engaged in organised criminal activities, which includes those engaged in smuggling cigarettes.

A Cross-Border Task Force, comprising of representatives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, HM Revenue Customs, the Serious Organised Crime Agency (UK), An Garda Síochána and the Criminal Assets Bureau, which is chaired by the Revenue Commissioners is also in place to address this form of criminality. Given all of the above, I have no current plans to conduct a review with the Gardaí on the measures they have in place for enforcement in this area.

I can assure the Deputy that the issue of cigarette smuggling remains one of priority for our law enforcement agencies and that significant successes continue to be made in tackling this illegal trade. I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that, in the period from January to October this year, a total of 91m cigarettes and almost 4,0000kgs of tobacco have been seized by Revenue. In addition, during that period there were over 100 convictions for smuggling or selling of illicit tobacco products.

With regard to the introduction of plain or standardised packaging for tobacco products I am advised by my colleague, the Minister for Health, that the Department of Health will continue to monitor recent international developments in this area which together with the forthcoming revision of the EU Tobacco Products Directive will inform future policy in this area.

Given that the introduction of such packaging internationally is still at a relatively recent stage it would be speculative at this point to consider any impact its introduction might have on the illegal trade in tobacco products. However, what I can say in this regard is that An Garda Síochána would welcome any appropriate initiative that would assist in further curtailing such activity.