Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
389. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the specific monitoring or targeted enforcement operations in place in the Border region to address trade in illicit roll-your-own tobacco; the results of such operations over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3456/26]
View answerI am assured by Revenue of its commitment to targeting the illicit tobacco trade. Revenue implements a range of measures to identify and target illicit manufacturing facilities, and the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products (inclusive of roll-your-own tobacco), with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international level, the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources.
In relation to the Border regions, I am assured by Revenue that it continues to deploy its resources on a risk-focused basis, having regard to ongoing risk assessment of smuggling and criminal activities. I am advised that for operational reasons, Revenue does not publicly disclose specific methodologies or actions taken or proposed, including resource deployments in relation to specific locations.
However, Revenue issues regular press releases in relation to certain larger tobacco seizures, which includes detail relating to volumes, value and locations.
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), to address cross-border smuggling and dismantle organised crime networks involved in the illegal tobacco market.
Revenue has been successful in tackling the illicit tobacco trade. In the period 2023-2025 inclusive, Revenue had the following illicit cigarettes and tobacco seizures:
|
- |
2025 |
|
|
|
No. of Seizures |
Value |
|
Cigarettes |
5,493 |
€46.9m |
|
Tobacco |
1,549 |
€21.0m |
|
|
2024 |
|
|
|
No. of Seizures |
Value |
|
Cigarettes |
4,920 |
€95.6m |
|
Tobacco |
1,500 |
€32.6m |
|
|
2023 |
|
|
|
No. of Seizures |
Value |
|
Cigarettes |
5,164 |
€55.7m |
|
Tobacco |
1,673 |
€7.7m |
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.
I am satisfied that Revenue is very conscious of the threat that tobacco smuggling, and the sale of illicit tobacco products poses to health, to legitimate business interests and to the Exchequer. I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area and am satisfied that Revenue is focused on tackling this form of criminality.
