Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

Deputy O'Mahony made a crucial point on the science of the subject and asked, given that these substances can be washed through, whether we are any closer to developing a means whereby we can be confident that the diesel people buy is the diesel they expect. It would be wrong to say we have resolved the issue, but we are working closely with all concerned to come up with a solution. Licensing is an important issue and we have made sure that licences have been revoked or refused on the basis that we cannot stand over the authenticity of the supplier concerned. That is another important aspect.

Both Deputies asked what more can be done. In discussions with the Revenue, the Minister is considering measures in the context of the upcoming finance Bill to strengthen further the controls relating to all aspects of mineral oil trade. Where further measures are considered necessary, they will be put in place. There is a high level of co-operation between the Revenue and HM Revenue and Customs in the UK. Increased co-operation is the order of the day. I am not going to second guess that and go into further detail, but I assure the House and the two Deputies who raised this important issue that high-level co-operation is taking place between all agencies on this island to stamp out this practice, and this co-operation will increase further to ensure we deal with this scourge. I assure the Deputies that, even in these difficult times when the Revenue, like any public sector organisation, is finding it difficult to meet requirements because of the number of people employed in the public sector, we are determined to stamp out this practice and use every measure we can, in co-operation with our colleagues in the UK, to beat the problem. I thank the Deputies for highlighting this important issue.

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