Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)

I wish to raise a matter which I have raised on previous occasions. The cost of diesel fuel is at its highest ever level, as far as I can recall. It seems to be increasing daily and this may be influenced by what is happening in foreign fields. Fuel laundering and diesel fuel laundering in particular is now big illegal business. It is no longer just a Border counties issue and is now in the west and south as well. It is becoming more attractive now for car owners to purchase from the garage outlets selling laundered diesel, irrespective of the damage and the damage being done to vehicles. More important is the loss of revenue to the economy as illegal laundered diesel accounts for 10% to 12% of the current total fuel market. I suggest that one diesel fuel should be available for everyone with a rebate system available to the farmer or those with vehicles which are not used on the public roadway. There may be difficulties of which I am unaware in having such a system but it is timely to have a debate on this matter.

I will give an instance. In my own county of Louth it costs the State €1 million to clear up the sludge left behind, transport it via Dublin to be incinerated in Germany. In the Border counties, it cost €3 million last year. Concrete action must be taken. I urge the Leader to arrange a debate and I ask for an explanation as to the reason one diesel fuel cannot be accessible to all.