Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating my request for a discussion on the topical issue of fuel laundering. I have tried to raise the matter on several occasions.

The criminal activity of adulterating motor fuel is a threat to public health and safety, the environment and the vehicle engines of unfortunate victims as well as the cause of a serious tax loss to the Exchequer. It is time to seek an end to the practice of fuel laundering. I will take this opportunity to explore the possibility of developing an alternative method of protecting the fuel subsidy to farmers, to assist them in their production of food, as well as the continued protection of established, legitimate users of tax rebated fuels, such as home heating oil users.

From the details already published of seizures of laundered goods and equipment this year, it is obvious that illegal tampering with marked gas oil is increasing. I urge that there be cross-Border support on this issue, as has been the case in the past. I raised this issue at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly as it is an extensive problem in the North as well. In a recent joint Garda, Criminal Assets Bureau, CAB, and customs and excise raid on a laundering plant in co-operation with the Police Service of Northern Ireland, PSNI, it was estimated that the plant was capable of supplying diesel to ten busy service stations for a full year. Any seepage of fuel residues or chemical bleaching agents from this plant into the ground would have had widespread and serious consequences for humans, animals and the environment.

At this stage we ought to be able to tackle this problem. There is agreement among the farming organisations that it is time to open a debate on this issue. The general consensus appears to be that the easiest way to tackle it is not to colour the diesel and provide a rebate to farmers.

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