Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the efforts that have been undertaken by both the Executive in the North and the Government in the South to stamp out this activity, which is a disaster for the economies on either side of the Border. These activities gut the local economies within a radius of 30, 40 or 50 miles of the Border. Unfortunately, the swings we see on a regular basis mean at some stages that the town on the Northern side of the Border is the boom town and the town on the Southern side is a ghost town. As changes in excise and customs take place, that can change to the other side depending on what way the taxes fall at a particular time. Like everything, it is not the case that nothing is being done. Substantial efforts are being made. This amendment seeks to mandate the Government to ensure far more is done. I suggest that the only real solution to this problem involves the Southern and Northern Governments working out ways to get rid of the taxation and excise differences between the North and the South. At a time when we are talking about an all-Ireland energy market and an all-Ireland economy, we need to make sure these differences do not exist and therefore no commercial energy is in place for people to carry out these activities.