Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 76:

In page 112, line 4, after "approved" to insert "or an approved oil supplier".

I will reiterate the point I made earlier. The provisions as set out in the Bill require the purchase of fuel through the fuel card system. Road hauliers are concerned about that because many of them purchase from approved oil suppliers who are well-known, well-established and with whom a relationship exists, whether in regard to credit terms or otherwise. There is a view that the amendment should be accepted to facilitate that trade between the hauliers and their local oil suppliers.

As the Minsiter said, I accept they should all be tax compliant and have reached the standard required for oil suppliers. There is much concern in the road haulage sector because of the presence of washed diesel in the system, the damage it is doing to the road haulage sector generally and the unfair competitive advantage it is bestowing on those who decide to use those illegal products. I understand why the Minister decided to exclude approved oil suppliers. However, it could be done in a way to ensure the relationship continues to exist.