Jim D'Arcy (Fine Gael)

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, to the House to make a statement on the progress being made on diesel laundering. The Minister of State met Louth County Council officials and Oireachtas Members from Louth. He said legislative changes were planned to enable more effective controls and that steps would be taken to acquire a more effective marker. I would like to know what has been done since. The latest figures from Louth County Council show that an average of 50 tonnes of diesel laundering waste quantities are being recovered by the council each month for hazardous waste disposal abroad. This has increased from six tonnes per month in 2009. It is a serious issue. Anecdotal evidence is that the washed diesel is being exported to the UK for sale at the pumps. I would be grateful if the Leader would invite the Minister of State because this involves crime and the loss of revenue and people are losing their jobs in County Louth because of this.