The Fine Gael MEP, Mr John Cushnahan, has criticised alleged IRA involvement in tobacco-smuggling.
Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday, Mr Cushnahan said cigarette-smuggling was highly profitable and carried comparatively less severe penalties than other crimes.
The European Union suffered in two ways from this trade. First, it lost substantial revenue which could otherwise be used in programmes tackling cancer, poverty and promoting human rights.
Second, cheaper cigarettes resulted in heavier tobacco consumption, causing more incidences of cancer and respiratory problems.
He said the European Commission should seek the assistance of the Ministers of Health and Education in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
He specifically mentioned Ms Bairbre de Brun and Mr Martin McGuinness, not only because their respective ministries were in the front line of EU anti-cancer campaigns, but also, he said, because of press revelations of republican activity in cigarette-smuggling in Northern Ireland.
