Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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122. To ask the Minister for Finance the actions he is planning in response to recent survey findings on the scale of illegal tobacco in circulation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28093/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that since 2009, Revenue, in conjunction with the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office, has commissioned Ipsos MRBI to conduct annual independent market research among smokers about the source of their cigarettes. The purpose of this research is to estimate the volume of non-Irish duty paid cigarettes being consumed in Ireland. Since 2013, this cigarette research has been complemented by an additional survey on roll your own tobacco. The surveys were paused in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions and resumed in 2021. The 2024 findings are available on revenue.ie.

I am assured that Revenue is committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and uses a range of measures to tackle the sale of illicit cigarettes on the black market. At the core of these measures is identifying and targeting the smuggling of illicit tobacco products into the State, including duty free tobacco in excess of normal allowances, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy also involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies on cargo and passenger baggage, deployment of the detector dog units and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis.

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. Additionally, it works with Northern Ireland agencies to address cross-border smuggling and tackle organised crime networks involved in the illegal tobacco market. Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade, both nationally and internationally, 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.

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 at any time.

I am pleased to acknowledge that Revenue has achieved considerable success in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. In 2024, Revenue had 4,920 seizures of cigarettes valued at €95.6m and 1,500 seizures of tobacco with an estimated value of €32.6m. To the end of April 2025, Revenue had 1,731 seizures of cigarettes valued at €13.9m and 529 seizures of tobacco valued at €12.7m. Further successes, highlighting Revenue’s approach to the illicit tobacco trade include the detection and dismantling of an illicit commercial cigarette factory in Dublin in February 2024 and in Co. Louth in March 2025. These detections were as a result of intelligence-led operations and follow-up investigations are ongoing nationally and internationally.

The Government has been consistent in its strong support for ensuring that Revenue has the necessary resources and statutory powers 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 combatting fraud, illicit trade and smuggling.

I am satisfied that Revenue is very alert to the threat that the illicit tobacco trade poses to health, legitimate business and the Exchequer and I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area.