Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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211. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of customs checks that have been carried out at Cork Airport in 2023 and 2024 to date for the excess purchase of duty-free tobacco products; the number of fines that issued for the same time periods; the number of these fines not paid for the same time periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29711/24]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Revenue is committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and implements a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco, including duty free tobacco in excess of duty-free allowances, and where possible, prosecuting those involved. In its efforts to detect the importation of excess duty-free goods, Revenue uses a combination of risk analysis, profiling, intelligence, screening of checked-in and carry-on baggage and the deployment of its detector dog teams. Revenue’s strategy also involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis. Revenue continues to adopt an agile response to this threat and monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources in response to new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade.

The smuggling of tobacco products has a transnational and cross border dimension and in addition to Revenue’s ongoing cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, Revenue also works closely with its counterparts in other jurisdictions including colleagues in Northern Ireland through the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) and international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.

Revenue optimises media engagement in terms of successful prosecutions, significant seizures and enforcement initiatives, ensuring the general public is aware of the commitment by Revenue to tackling the illicit cigarette and tobacco trade and to deter those involved. To further encourage the general public to engage with Revenue in its efforts targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products, Revenue includes a message on all press releases relating to tobacco products notifying that businesses or members of the public can contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295.

I am pleased to acknowledge that Revenue has achieved considerable success in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. The table below outlines the total number and value of seizures made by Revenue nationally, for cigarettes and tobacco from 2023 to end June 2024:

In addition, the number of summary convictions and fines related to tobacco offences is outlined in the table below:

I am advised by Revenue that it cannot provide data in relation to the number of fines that have been paid as fines are collected directly by the Courts Service. In relation to the number of customs checks carried out for excess purchases of duty-free tobacco products, officers based at the points of entry into the state carry out checks targeting a variety of risks and as such, I am advised that it is not possible to disaggregate the number of checks for duty-free tobacco products from the overall checks carried out.

The Government has ensured through the Finance Acts over the years that Revenue has the necessary statutory powers to tackle the illicit tobacco trade. I am satisfied that the current legislative framework provides an effective basis for undertaking and continuing its important work in this area. I am assured that Revenue is aware of the threat that tobacco smuggling poses to health, to legitimate business interests and to the Exchequer and I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area.

This Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources to fulfil its mandate in respect of functions that are critical for its effective functioning as a tax and customs administration and I remain open to considering any proposals from Revenue that will support its work in combating fraud, illicit trade and smuggling.