137. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the amount of revenue lost on illegal black market cigarettes in each of the years from 2011 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45954/15]

Minister for Finance (Deputy Michael Noonan): I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the extent of the illegal trade in cigarettes is estimated through annual surveys that are carried out for them and for the Health Service Executive National Tobacco Control Office by Ipsos MRBI. The results of these surveys for 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 suggest that the losses to the Exchequer in excise duty and VAT attributable to the illegal trade in cigarettes were €258 million, €240 million, €212 million and €214 million respectively. The estimates are based on the assumption that the illegal cigarettes consumed displace the equivalent full tax paid quantities of cigarettes.

A further survey in respect of 2015 is underway and it is expected that the results will be available towards the end of the first quarter of 2016.