Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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74. To ask the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce new technology to prevent counterfeiting of security features of Revenue stamps on products such as cigarettes; when the provision of such services will be put to tender again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11629/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue Commissioners that the tax stamp contains a range of security features to prevent counterfeiting and these features are kept under review and ungraded as required. In 2009, the technical specification for tax stamps was significantly upgraded and the stamp was further enhanced in 2011.  The Revenue Commissioners advise me that the stamp has proven to be very robust and they have had no evidence to date that it is being copied.  The current contract to design and print the tobacco stamp expires at the end August 2014. The tendering process for a new contract has commenced and is being handled through the Office of Government Procurement.