Written answers
Wednesday, 2 April 2025
Department of Finance
Court Judgments
Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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96. To ask the Minister for Finance for a breakdown of how many of the 316 summary convictions at District Court level for tobacco offences between 2020 and 2024 resulted in the imposition of fines, a custodial sentence, both, or neither; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16184/25]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Revenue are committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and implement a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the illicit product and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue keeps its operational requirements and arrangements regarding the deployment and use of detection technology and resources, including a suite of x-ray scanners, electronic risk analysis tools and maritime cutters, under continuous review having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling, criminal activities and evolving operational needs.
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.
The table below provides a breakdown of the results of summary convictions secured in respect of tobacco-related offences for the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive.
| Smuggling/Evasion of Excise Duty | Illegal Selling | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | No. of Summary Convictions | Fines | Other Outcomes | No. of Summary Convictions | Fines | Other outcomes |
2020 | 4 | 4 convictions resulting in fines of €10,000 | - | 37 | 33 convictions resulting in fines of €88,500 | 4 suspended sentences |
2021 | 14 | 14 convictions resulting in fines of €32,750 | 38 | 36 convictions resulting in fines of €87,050 | 2 suspended sentences | |
| 2022 | 19 | 14 convictions resulting in fines of €35,000 | 2 custodial sentences, 3 suspended sentences | 42 | 36 convictions resulting in fines of €89,000 | 4 custodial sentences, 2 suspended sentences |
| 2023 | 41 | 39 convictions resulting in fines of €100,000 | 1 custodial sentence, 1 suspended sentence | 46 | 41 convictions resulting in fines of €104,000 | 5 suspended sentences |
| 2024 | 42 | 35 convictions resulting in fines of €87,500 | 7 suspended sentences | 33 | 33 convictions resulting in fines of €101,777 |
I am satisfied that combating the threat that the illicit tobacco trade poses to legitimate business, consumers, and the Exchequer continues to be a priority for Revenue.
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