313. Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the estimated scale and value of the illicit roll-your-own tobacco market in Ireland; the most recent figures available on seizures and Revenue assessments; the estimated loss to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2976/26]

Simon Harris, Tánaiste and Minister for Finance: Since 2009, Revenue and the HSE’s National Tobacco Control Office have jointly commissioned annual surveys among smokers to estimate the volume of non-Irish duty-paid cigarettes consumed in Ireland. Since 2013, this includes a separate survey on roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco. The results of these surveys along with the survey methodology are published on Revenue’s website. The most recent survey conducted by Ipsos MRBI found that 49% of RYO packs in the survey had not been subject to Irish duty, representing a significant increase from 32% in 2023. The latest survey further indicated that the proportion of illegal RYO packs rose to 36% (up from 20% in 2023), and that the proportion of legal, non-Irish duty paid packs was 13%.

Over recent years, the survey results indicate an increase in illegal tobacco products including RYO tobacco. While cigarettes are the predominant tobacco product consumed in Ireland, the proportion of smokers consuming RYO tobacco has increased in recent years. Revenue is committed to targeting the illicit tobacco trade and implements a range of measures to tackle the sale of illicit tobacco. At the core of these measures is identifying and targeting the smuggling of illicit tobacco products into the State, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the product and, where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources to counter any new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade. Revenue has also taken steps to tighten controls on the movement of duty-paid tobacco products from other EU countries, with a recent introduction of regulations to more effectively guard against the abuse of the excise duty relief available on tobacco for personal use.

Cigarettes

RYO Tobacco

Revenue’s strategy to tackle tobacco non-compliance involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies, which includes analysis of online activities, and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis. Enforcement work by Revenue continues to lead to significant seizures, disruption of illicit trade channels and successful prosecutions. Figures relating to the seizure of tobacco products in recent years are set out below:

During 2025, Revenue secured 55 convictions for offences related to tobacco smuggling or evasion of excise duty on tobacco products and 44 convictions for offences related to illegal selling of tobacco products. Fines totalling €143,780 were imposed by the courts in 2025 for tobacco offences. Further successes highlighting Revenue’s approach to the illicit tobacco trade include the detection and dismantling of an illicit commercial cigarette factory in Dublin in February 2024 and in Co. Louth in March 2025. These detections were as a result of intelligence-led operations.

Revenue welcomes and follows up on information from businesses or members of the public in relation to shadow economy activities and the supply of illegal tobacco products. Anyone with suspicions of illegal activity can contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295. I am satisfied that Revenue is very alert to the threat that the illicit tobacco trade poses to the effectiveness of tobacco tax which is a key aspect of the Government’s strategy to disincentivise smoking.