Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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470. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of counterfeit tobacco products, counterfeit alcohol products, counterfeit clothing items and counterfeit prescription drugs and narcotics seized by customs officials at State airports and ports of entry and exit; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38694/23]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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471. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of counterfeit tobacco products, counterfeit alcohol products, counterfeit clothing items and counterfeit prescription drugs and narcotics seized by customs officials at privately owned airports and ports of entry and exit; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38695/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together.

I am advised by Revenue that it collaborates closely with other agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in combatting the threat which counterfeit goods pose to legitimate businesses, consumers and the Exchequer. Revenue implements a risk-based profiling approach which is designed to facilitate the legitimate movement of goods and to secure payment and collection of duty and VAT, as appropriate, while also protecting citizens, trade and the environment. Where compliance risks such as counterfeit goods are identified in any consignment as a result of risk profiling, Revenue takes the appropriate action to address the risk including documentary checks, physical inspections and liaising with relevant stakeholders.

The counterfeiting of goods or Intellectual Property Right (IPR) infringements damages legitimate businesses through potential reputational damage and the diversion of revenues. Counterfeit goods may also be harmful to consumers, are often of a poor quality and do not conform to accepted safety standards. The procedures under which Revenue acts against counterfeit goods apply in cases in which the holder of an intellectual property right has made an application for action to be taken to protect that right, and the application has been granted. Where goods are suspected of infringing IPR, they are detained pending confirmation by the appropriate right holder. If goods are confirmed to be counterfeit, they are seized.

I am advised by Revenue that for the years 2019 to date in 2023, there have been no detections of counterfeit clothing items at private airports or ports.

The table below outlines the location and value of detections of counterfeit clothing at State airports and ports from 2019 to date in 2023:

I am advised by Revenue that the HPRA is the competent authority for the regulation of prescription drugs. Any suspected counterfeit drugs detected by Revenue are detained and transferred to the HPRA for further investigation. Revenue therefore does not hold statistics relating to counterfeit prescription drug seizures.

I am further advised that there were no seizures of cigarettes, tobacco or alcohol in privately owned ports and airports during the period in question.

Revenue does not disaggregate the volume and value of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol seized from its overall seizures of such illicit products. The total value of alcohol and tobacco products seizures for 2019 to 2022 for State Airports and ports of entry and exit are provided for in tabular form below:

I am assured that Revenue acts against all aspects of the illegal tobacco and alcohol trade, and uses a combination of risk analysis, profiling and intelligence, and risk-based screening of cargo, vehicles, baggage and postal packages to intercept illicit products. Action after importation includes checks at retail outlets, markets and private and commercial premises.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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472. To ask the Minister for Finance the value of cash, valuable metals and jewels and or jewellery seized at State-owned and private airports and ports of entry and exit; the value of same returned on appeal and or request; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38696/23]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am advised by Revenue that under the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 it can detain cash amounts of €1,000 or more which are suspected to be the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity. When cash is detained, an application is made by Revenue to the Courts requesting further time to investigate the source of the cash. The Courts, once satisfied with the application, may grant a detention order for a period of up to three months and for a total duration of no longer than 24 months to allow Revenue to carry out a comprehensive investigation with a view to having the money forfeited to the State, where appropriate.

I am advised by Revenue that there have been no seizures of cash at private airports and ports in the period 2019 to date in 2023. The table below outlines the value of cash seized at State ports and airports from 2019 to date 2023, and cash returned directly relating to those seizures. The cash returned value is related to the original cash seizures for each year even where the cash is returned in a subsequent year.

As previously mentioned, on the basis of renewed detention orders granted by the Courts, Revenue has a maximum of 2 years to investigate cash detentions/seizures. As a result, a proportion of cash seized in 2021, 2022 and 2023 is continuing to be investigated, impacting on the value of returns for these years.

The importation of goods, including valuable metals, jewels, and jewellery, from a third country must be declared to Revenue and are liable to customs duty and VAT, if applicable, on importation. I am advised that there have been no seizures of valuable metals and jewels and/or jewellery at private airports and ports for the years 2019 to date. In respect of State ports and airports for the period in question, I am advised that there were no seizures of valuable metals or jewels for the requested years. The value of jewellery seized, and the value of jewellery returned are outlined in the table below.

Jewellery seized by Revenue at ports and airports may be released on payment of the applicable VAT and Duty. It should be noted that a valuation is sought from the Assay Office to determine the correct value of the jewellery which will represent the value for Customs Duty and VAT payable. The importer may appeal this valuation to Revenue and will be required to provide documentation to support any appeal.