Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

It is a moot point as to whether we should put in place some incentive just so that certain rogue operators will see that it makes sense to abide by the law. I am inclined to favour an approach which ensures there is greater compliance in the sector generally. I pay tribute to those licensed hauliers who are abiding by the law and dealing with very competitive issues. The best way forward is where all hauliers pay the appropriate excise on diesel and those who engage in diesel washing are met with the proper punishments.

Revenue inform me that under the current system the misuse of MGO in vehicles can be detected by means of a visible check for colour and a laboratory check for the chemical marker. A total of 173 convictions were obtained for marked oil offences in 2005 and fines of over €175,000 were imposed. A further 1,326 offences were settled on payment of compromise penalties totalling nearly €1 million.

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