Mr. Paul Jackman:

On behalf of the IRHA and its members, I have to take issue with Mr. McPartlan’s presentation. The most recent ETC fuel quality report is based on figures from 2022 submitted by each member state. Ireland submitted the absolute minimum number of samples that are mandated to be taken, that is, 100 samples. The inverse is Belgium, which has a state-based authority, Fapetro, overseeing its fuel. It took more than 2,000 samples. Ireland took 100 samples and had no discrepancies. Fapetro, however, reported 31 discrepancies. We have never reported, as Mr. McPartlan said. Who is responsible? The ETC report states that Fuels for Ireland is responsible for taking the samples, presumably off their members. It only takes samples from forecourts. It does not take samples from blending stations or bulk-delivery points for hauliers. There is no State oversight of fuel quality in Ireland. On the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, CCPC, it categorically states there is no State oversight of fuel quality in Ireland and that if someone has an issue with fuel, they should go to an independent authority to have it checked.

I wish to expose another report carried out by the consultancy firm, Byrne Ó Cléirigh. The report states categorically that 18% of Ireland’s biodiesel is produced from category 1 tallow, which Mr. Hyland referenced.

The EU average, including the UK, is 4%. We are four and a half times higher for the inclusion of tallow, animal fat, in diesel. In used cooking oil, it is three and a half times. That is official. It is from a Government report done by consultants for NORA and the Department of Transport. We are saying that there is an issue. I thank Deputy Nolan for raising it. This is absolutely an issue and it needs a response. SIMI will confirm that the number of diesel passenger cars has gone from nearly 80% in 2012 down to below 20%. Now more than ever, diesel is the fuel of commerce. While we can talk about HVO coming in to a certain extent, the 7% FAME inclusion rate, is known as EN 590 quality diesel. Every truck on the road has EN 590 stamped on its tac. That is the basis of its warranty. We have had members with new vehicles where the dealership has refused to cover the warranty on the vehicle when it has shown fuel problems because the diesel in the tank has been tested and it has failed the EN 590 standard. In this forum it must go on the record that fuel quality in Ireland is an issue. The secondary component, as Mr. Drennan referenced, is the consequence of the poor quality, which is increased consumption. I have a statement from DAF's technical department which manufactured the engines for their trucks and it says that any inclusion rate of FAME that is unprocessed or raw biofuel over 7% means their engines are not meeting the emission targets. That is a design criterion for their engines. They are based on EN 590. It needs to go on the record that the transport industry in Ireland has a problem with its fuel, not only because of the five or six taxes that we are paying on it, but also because of its quality. It needs State intervention and oversight.