Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2025
271. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 5 February 2025, the number of prosecutions that were taken at both district and circuit court level in each year from 2020 to 2024, inclusive; the number of these prosecutions that resulted in a summary conviction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13295/25]
View answerAs outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 247 of 5 February 2025, I am aware that Revenue uses a range of measures to tackle 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’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies, and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis.
The table below outlines the number of summary and indictable convictions that Revenue secured in respect of tobacco-related offences for the years 2020 to 2024, inclusive.
|
Year |
Smuggling/Evasion of Excise Duty |
Illegal Selling |
||
|
No. of Summary Convictions (District Court) |
No. Indictable Convictions (Circuit Court) |
No. of Summary Convictions (District Court) |
No. Indictable Convictions (Circuit Court) |
|
|
2020 |
4 |
3 |
37 |
0 |
|
2021 |
14 |
1 |
38 |
2 |
|
2022 |
19 |
1 |
42 |
0 |
|
2023 |
41 |
5 |
46 |
0 |
|
2024 |
42 |
3 |
33 |
4 |
In addition to the 75 summary and 7 indictable tobacco-related offence convictions in 2024, I am pleased to say that Revenue has achieved considerable success in the seizure of illicit tobacco products with 112 million cigarettes valued at €95.6 million and 39,407kg of tobacco valued at €32.6 million seized in 2024.
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.
