Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the measure. I refer in particular to the scourge of smuggling that existed with illicit products. Over the years, we have heard substantial coverage of the problems associated with the illegal trading of diesel along the Border and, in more recent times, stretched petrol. Some months ago, as the Tánaiste knows, I introduced legislation before this House that sought to amend the Protection of the Environment Act 2003. The purpose of that Bill was to propose the establishment of a cross-Border statutory agency to investigate and report on fuel smuggling and other criminal activity. I had the smuggling of other illicit products in mind as well, including cigarettes. What I had in mind at the time and what was included in the Fianna Fáil Bill was a forum that was representative of members of An Garda Síochána, the PSNI, the Revenue Commissioners and their counterparts north of the Border, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. The relevant agencies would be involved in a forum that would deal comprehensively with the problems of smuggling and associated criminal activity. We are all aware of this activity that, unfortunately, exists in parts of our island. As a representative of two southern Border counties, I am especially conscious of the criminal activity involved, particularly in fuel smuggling and other illicit trade. We are well aware of the huge volumes of laundered diesel that have been a plague on-----

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