Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2026
290. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if counterfeit toys seized by customs are assessed for child-safety and CE compliance and referred for destruction where a serious risk is identified; and the number so referred in 2025 and to date in 2026. [67975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra291. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners undertake joint or co-ordinated operations with An Garda Síochána and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission targeting retail premises selling counterfeit goods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67974/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra292. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number of counterfeit or unsafe product detections referred by the Revenue Commissioners to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission in each of the years 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026. [67973/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the resources, including staffing, allocated to customs enforcement against counterfeit goods at ports, mail centres and other points of importation; and if he is satisfied that this resourcing is adequate. [67972/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra294. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners have identified counterfeit goods, including counterfeit toys and electronic accessories, being imported through or from Northern Ireland and sold in retail premises alongside untaxed or non-compliant e-liquid products; and the enforcement action taken. [67971/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra295. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the number, category and estimated value of counterfeit goods seized by the Revenue Commissioners through Customs in each of the years 2024 and 2025 and to date in 2026; and the number of such cases referred for prosecution. [67970/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 to 295, inclusive, together.
I am advised by Revenue that it implements customs controls on all goods entering the EU through Irish ports and airports. This involves detecting, intercepting, and seizing prohibited or restricted products, including counterfeit goods, at all points of entry.
Revenue maintains an intelligence-based, risk-focused enforcement presence, deploying over 900 staff across ports, airports, mail centres, supported by inland teams, a maritime unit and intelligence management and profiling teams.
Revenue collaborates closely with An Garda Síochána, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) to combat threats to businesses, consumers, and the Exchequer. Goods suspected of breaching product safety or CE compliance are detained by Revenue and transferred to the CCPC for investigation, who is the competent authority for product safety, specifically in relation to consumer goods and toys.
Revenue’s role is confined to custom control role at ports and airports. Revenue do not hold statistics on cases referred to the CCPC or specific data on children’s toys referred to the CCPC for investigation/destruction.
Revenue advises me that it has no information in relation to any large-scale smuggling of counterfeit goods from Northern Ireland into the State.
Revenue do not seize goods suspected to be counterfeit from local retail premises or markets as it has no statutory power to do so and responsibility for dealing with counterfeit goods that are already present in the State falls to An Garda Síochána.
Revenue’s enforcement role regarding illegal vaping products focuses on e-liquids containing controlled drugs, such as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
The table below outlines the number of vaping products that contained controlled drugs seized by Revenue from 2024 until the end of August 2026.
|
Year |
No. of Seizures |
Volume |
Value |
|
2026* |
307 |
16,268g |
€310,775 |
|
2025 |
169 |
4,378g |
€66,247 |
|
2024 |
55 |
3,910g |
€25,838 |
*As at end of August 2026
Revenue do not have any role in the administration of the retail licensing regime, which is conducted by the public health authorities under legislation introduced by the Minister for Health. Compliance with these regulations is undertaken by the Health Service Executive (HSE) as the market surveillance authority.
Where goods are suspected of infringing an IPR, they are detained pending examination by the rights holder. Where goods are confirmed by the holder of the IPR to be counterfeit, they are detained by Revenue and custody of these items is transferred to the CCPC for further investigation.
The table below provides a breakdown of the number and valuation of counterfeit products detected by Revenue from 2024 to 2026.
|
Year |
Number |
Value |
|
2026* |
13,887 |
€4.7m |
|
2025 |
28,202 |
€9.1m |
|
2024 |
66,445 |
€11.4m |
* As at end of August 2026
