Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State in his new capacity agus go n-éirí leis. This is a massive problem and it urgently needs attention. There is a crisis of consumer confidence and a crisis of public confidence, particularly in east Mayo where there are numerous cases of petrol stretching. I attended the meeting last Monday, along with 400 people. More than half of them stood up and said they had problems with their vehicles stretching back to July. It is shocking that people can go into the forecourt, get a fill of petrol and find the engine is destroyed. Our local garages are full of these vehicles. I have spoken to several assessors in garages and they listed the various scenarios that arise. They are dealing with insurance companies. We need immediate intervention because I cannot answer the question of where it is safe to buy petrol. Imagine that in this day and age. There is uproar and outrage about the issue.

This falls under the remit of Customs and Excise, which is why the Minister of State at the Department of Finance is present, but there was no one from Customs and Excise at that meeting. The Garda Síochána attended and are trying but this is within the expertise and gift of Customs and Excise. If people's confidence is to be encouraged, we must know we are getting to the bottom of this and that culprits are taken to task.

With regard to the Garda Síochána, there is only one public service vehicle officer in County Mayo and if resources are needed they must be pumped in now. It may not be simple because the fuel is burned off and taking a fuel sample will not help. In any event, a criminal prosecution takes time and victims are seriously out of pocket. It is estimated that only 30% of people are covered by insurance and new cars are clapped-out because of this. Warranties do not cover this and only people with comprehensive insurance are covered. People cannot afford the thousands of euro to fix their vehicles. There must be some scheme for this. Of course, the culprits should ultimately pay but the victims do not have the time or deep pockets of the insurance companies or the State to get to the bottom of this. It needs urgent attention.

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