Feargal Quinn (Independent)

If we are going to work hard to ensure the benefits of a second Chamber are recognised, it must be done over the coming few months. If we are going to succeed in this regard, we will have to change the Taoiseach's attitude to the Seanad.

Some months ago I raised the matter of illegal diesel laundering which has come to the fore again with the highly toxic sludge found on the M1 near the Border today. Until I heard it on the radio, I had not realised the large sum involved to now remove this sludge and transfer it abroad for proper disposal. While that figure is large, it is only a fraction of what the State is losing through its subsidies for diesel used by the agricultural community. Other countries on the Continent subsidise their farmers for diesel use but in a considerably different way. Our current system only encourages criminality in diesel laundering and forces legitimate companies out of business through unfair competition. The Minister should be reminded this is not a time for talking about the problem but for action to deal with it.