Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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271. To ask the Minister for Finance the amount of nitrous oxide seized by customs each year since 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43413/21]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by Revenue that it had no seizures of nitrous oxide in the period from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Revenue had eight seizures of the product, consisting of 33,600 canisters. To date in 2021, Revenue had five seizures of the product, consisting of 82,200 canisters.

Nitrous oxide is not prohibited and has a number of legitimate uses, for example in the food industry.  However, where Revenue has reasonable grounds for believing that importations of nitrous oxide will not be used for legitimate purposes and is intended for human consumption as a psychoactive substance, then Revenue has the power to detain and seize nitrous oxide in accordance with the Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Act 2010.

Revenue works closely with other agencies in the State including, An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice and Equality and the Health Products Regulatory Authority, in acting against the illegal drugs trade. I am assured by Revenue that combating the importation of any prohibited or restricted goods into this jurisdiction is, and will continue to be, a Revenue priority.