470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the value of counterfeit tobacco products, counterfeit alcohol products, counterfeit clothing items and counterfeit prescription drugs and narcotics seized by customs officials at State airports and ports of entry and exit; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38694/23]

471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance the value of counterfeit tobacco products, counterfeit alcohol products, counterfeit clothing items and counterfeit prescription drugs and narcotics seized by customs officials at privately owned airports and ports of entry and exit; and if he will provide the information in tabular form, by location, item and value, for the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023. [38695/23]

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath : I propose to take Questions Nos. 470 and 471 together.

I am advised by Revenue that it collaborates closely with other agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in combatting the threat which counterfeit goods pose to legitimate businesses, consumers and the Exchequer. Revenue implements a risk-based profiling approach which is designed to facilitate the legitimate movement of goods and to secure payment and collection of duty and VAT, as appropriate, while also protecting citizens, trade and the environment. Where compliance risks such as counterfeit goods are identified in any consignment as a result of risk profiling, Revenue takes the appropriate action to address the risk including documentary checks, physical inspections and liaising with relevant stakeholders.

The counterfeiting of goods or Intellectual Property Right (IPR) infringements damages legitimate businesses through potential reputational damage and the diversion of revenues. Counterfeit goods may also be harmful to consumers, are often of a poor quality and do not conform to accepted safety standards. The procedures under which Revenue acts against counterfeit goods apply in cases in which the holder of an intellectual property right has made an application for action to be taken to protect that right, and the application has been granted. Where goods are suspected of infringing IPR, they are detained pending confirmation by the appropriate right holder. If goods are confirmed to be counterfeit, they are seized.

I am advised by Revenue that for the years 2019 to date in 2023, there have been no detections of counterfeit clothing items at private airports or ports.

The table below outlines the location and value of detections of counterfeit clothing at State airports and ports from 2019 to date in 2023:

I am advised by Revenue that the HPRA is the competent authority for the regulation of prescription drugs. Any suspected counterfeit drugs detected by Revenue are detained and transferred to the HPRA for further investigation. Revenue therefore does not hold statistics relating to counterfeit prescription drug seizures.

I am further advised that there were no seizures of cigarettes, tobacco or alcohol in privately owned ports and airports during the period in question. Revenue does not disaggregate the volume and value of counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol seized from its overall seizures of such illicit products. The total value of alcohol and tobacco products seizures for 2019 to 2022 for State Airports and ports of entry and exit are provided for in tabular form. [For the full table, click this link to the Oireachtas website]