Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 June 2026
48. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the amount of cigarettes and tobacco products seized by the Revenue Commissioners personnel at Shannon Airport in each of the first five months of 2026, in tabular form. [46061/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI 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, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and, where possible, prosecuting those involved.
The table below provides the monthly breakdown of the number, quantity and value of cigarettes and tobacco seized at Shannon Airport from 1 January to 31 May 2026.
|
Year |
Seizures |
Volume |
Value € |
Loss to the Exchequer € |
|
2026 - May |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
20 |
22,077 |
20,923 |
16,419 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
2 |
1.5 |
1,399 |
1,043 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 – April |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
26 |
55,482 |
52,581 |
41,263 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
8 |
14.30 |
13,342 |
9,948 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 – March |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
15 |
21,736 |
20,600 |
16,165 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
3 |
3 |
2,799 |
2,087 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 – Feb |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
29 |
33,540 |
31,786 |
24,944 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
4 |
1.75 |
1,633 |
1,217 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2026 – Jan |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
19 |
21,360 |
20,243 |
15,886 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
2 |
2 |
1,866 |
1,391 |
The table below provides the total number, quantity and value of cigarettes and tobacco seized at Shannon Airport in 2026 up to 31 May 2026.
|
Year |
Seizures |
Volume |
Value € |
Loss to the Exchequer € |
|
2026 - Total |
|
|
|
|
|
Cigarettes |
109 |
154,195 |
146,133 |
114,677 |
|
Tobacco (Kilos) |
19 |
22.55 |
21,039 |
15,686 |
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 am further satisfied that Revenue has an appropriate focus on tackling this form of criminality.
