Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Finance is examining ways in which the Government can deal with the amount of diesel that is being laundered. It is a huge issue along Border counties in particular and there have been significant seizures this year to that effect. However, actually doing away with marked diesel or green diesel as farmers call it also creates huge problems, particularly in respect of the potential for diesel to be stolen from farmyards because diesel that is not marked becomes much more valuable and usable. Consequently, there is no easy solution to this issue. I note the Government has been working with its British counterpart to find more effective ways of marking diesel in order that it cannot be laundered. Hopefully, we can make progress with some new initiatives in that area.

The only person who is casting doubt on whether farmers will be able to continue to benefit from green diesel appears to be Deputy Ó Cuív. I have not cast any doubt on it. The Government has made a commitment in its programme for Government to support farmers with regard to fuel prices and will continue to do that. As for broader concerns coming from the haulage sector, I recognise the cost of fuel is causing significant strain on that sector at present. However, the question of what is to be done in this regard is not a decision for my Department. Nevertheless, I certainly will reflect these views in the budgetary discussions in the Cabinet.

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