Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2026
189. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he has any concerns in relation to the risk of privacy related to the manual opening of letters by customs officials rather than them being scanned. [67139/26]
View answer190. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding the mechanisms in place to minimise the number of letters or packages that need to be opened manually instead of being scanned. [67138/26]
View answer191. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the position regarding the mechanisms in place to protect privacy of sender and receiver in cases whereby they are required to open a package or letter. [67136/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 189, 190 and 191 together.
I am assured by Revenue that it is fully committed to safeguarding taxpayer information, confidential data and personal information.
A Revenue officer’s obligation in relation to data protection and privacy are underpinned by a range of statutory provisions designed to protect the rights and interests of citizens and businesses. These legislative provisions include the obligation to protect taxpayer information in accordance with Section 851A of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, the Official Secrets Act and Data Protection Acts. Further, I am advised that Revenue officers are subject to Revenue’s Code of Ethics and the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour. These provisions create clear obligations in relation to the confidentiality of official data and the protection of records against unauthorised access, unnecessary use, alteration, destruction or disclosure. Revenue officers are required to carry out their duties to the highest standards of honesty and integrity and receive full training in their obligations under these provisions.
I am advised by Revenue that its officers based at mail centres and parcel operators are responsible for intercepting the movement of illicit goods being smuggled in parcels, packets or letters. This function is carried out in accordance with Section 13(4) of the Customs Act 2015 which provides that all postal packets in cross?border mail may be examined and opened, and the contents examined by an officer of customs. In carrying out this function, Revenue deploys a range of resources and techniques, including detector dog teams, x?ray scanners and physical examinations. When examining postal items, the general practice is in the first instance to x-ray an item, which in some cases can lead to a requirement to physically open letters where necessary. This is an essential element of Revenue’s response to the smuggling of illicit goods and is required to ensure that examinations are carried out to the highest standard.
To give an idea of the scale of Revenue’s enforcement work in this area, the tables below outline the number and value of seizures made at mailing centres and parcel depots for 2025 and to the end of August 2026:
|
Mail Centres / Parcel Depots |
2026* |
2026* |
|
|
Number of Seizures |
Value |
|
Alcohol |
389 |
€27,051 |
|
Cigarettes |
139 |
€98,969 |
|
Tobacco |
115 |
€87,853 |
|
Drugs |
1,731 |
€4,724,553 |
|
IPR |
1,011 |
€1,853,808 |
|
Other |
243 |
€57,961 |
|
Totals |
3,628 |
€6,850,195 |
*To the end of August 2026
|
Mail Centres / Parcel Depots |
2025 |
2025 |
|
|
Number of Seizures |
Value |
|
Alcohol |
832 |
€102,777 |
|
Cigarettes |
228 |
€374,936 |
|
Tobacco |
83 |
€66,316 |
|
Drugs |
2,573 |
€12,608,071 |
|
IPR |
5,599 |
€5,293,203 |
|
Other |
325 |
€50,844 |
|
Totals |
9,640 |
€18,496,150 |
In this context, the manual opening of letters by trained Revenue officers is undertaken strictly for customs control purposes and in accordance with the legislative and governance frameworks outlined. These controls, together with the training and conduct requirements applicable to Revenue staff, are designed to minimise any risk to privacy and to ensure that any examination of the contents of an envelope is limited to what is necessary and proportionate for the performance of Revenue’s statutory functions.
