CROSS BORDER SMUGGLING BILL DEBATED
Fears over an increase in cross border smuggling were raised during a Dail debate on the proposed new Sale of Illicit Goods Act.
The bill was tabled by Louth TD Declan Breathnach, who claimed that €1.7 billion has been lost to the exchequer since 2010, which he said could have built 8,400 social houses.
Deputy Breathnach said: ‘Brexit has created a political atmosphere that will likely make cross-Border smuggling more lucrative due to a fluctuating sterling and potential tariffs. Extra resources and protections are needed for small legitimate retailers who operate along the Border to ensure there is no increase in smuggled goods entering Ireland.’
He said that the Bill ensures that a major gap in the legislation surrounding illicit trade is closed. The bill essentially aimed to impose fines on people who bought illicit goods.
The Louth TD raised concerns about what he saw as a lack of readiness to fully combat smuggling in the event of a hard Brexit.
‘It is alarming news that only one third of the required extra 600 customs officials will be operational next year. Smuggling takes huge volumes of business away from legitimate retailers every year. This problem will only be exacerbated by Brexit.’
‘Indeed, a 2018 survey conducted by Retailers Against Smuggling found that Border retailers are 63% more concerned about the likely impact Brexit will have on their communities with regard to smuggling than they were this time last year.’
‘While An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners are doing a good job in catching those involved they undoubtedly need more resources to tackle smuggling in border communities.’
‘Currently there is no deterrent to purchasing smuggled goods as it is not a crime. The aim of the Bill is to deter people from buying illicit alcohol, solid fuel and tobacco by introducing on-the-spot fines for buying goods where taxes have not been paid and is a necessary measure to protect small Irish retailers.
Former Tanaiste Joan Burton also called for greater resources for the border area in the fight against smuggling.
‘We are in the middle of a discussion about technology being the way to a frictionless, seamless border that will properly provide for the passage of goods and services back and forth over the Border in Ireland. Notwithstanding that, there is a great risk of illicit activity increasing in the event of a difficult Brexit.’ ‘In places such as Dundalk and Letterkenny, we need more specialist staff, whether they be formally allocated to customs or Revenue staff, to crack down on these Border gangs. The same is true of policing services. We need to recognise that what is happening along the Border is undermining our efforts to achieve a fair and balanced taxation system which allows the kind of services that we all want to be available.’
We are approaching Christmas, which is the most important period for many retail businesses in Ireland for selling goods and making a living, yet due to the illicit trade, especially along the Border, many people’s livelihoods effectively will be wiped out, destroyed or reduced to a feebleness that means their long-term viability is at stake.
It is essential that we are very clear-eyed that, no matter