Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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20. To ask the Minister for Finance to provide data for the first six months of the year outlining the number of cigarette and tobacco seizures carried out by the Revenue Commissioners; to provide a breakdown on the location of each seizure, by county; to provide the value of each seizure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38192/25]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that 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, 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 and 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. 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 smuggling and sale of illicit tobacco products in 2024, with total seizures of over 112 million cigarettes seized valued at €95.6 million and 39,407kg of tobacco seized valued at €32.6 million. To the end of June 2025, Revenue seized over 37.7m cigarettes, valued at €34 million, and 20,550kg of tobacco, valued at €18.2 million. 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 table below provides a breakdown of the number, quantity and value of cigarettes and tobacco seized by Frontier Management Branch from 1 January to 30 June 2025. In general, seizures are not recorded by reference to the county in which they are seized.