Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 November 2014

3:10 pm

Photo of Terry LeydenTerry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming Seán Boylan and his wife, Tina, because he played a major contribution to GAA and sport generally, and to health issues on which he gave great leadership.

I also welcome Mr. Frank McGlynn and Mr. Joe Leddin to the House today. It is nice to see visitors coming here to the House. I thank the staff for giving all visitors such a good conducted tour of the Dáil and the Seanad, which is a good service to have.

I commend An Garda Síochána and the Revenue Commissioners on the seizure of fuel-laundering facilities at Inniskeen, County Monaghan, which were capable of processing 20 million litres of fuel. A total of 50,000 litres were found on the premises, which represents a loss of at least €10 million to the Revenue Commissioners. It is alleged that at present, 150 stations throughout the country are being run by front people for paramilitary organisations, whose members are ex-IRA and others who are exploiting this situation. I call for a debate and ask the Leader, through the Cathaoirleach, to have the Revenue Commissioners, the Minister for Justice and Equality in particular or the Minister for Finance come into the House to outline exactly what action is being taken to eliminate this situation. We need an Eliot Ness, who took out Al Capone in the 1930s. There appears to be a lack of a real, dynamic approach to this situation. Surely, it is evident to people in County Monaghan that this had been going on for 12 months in Inniskeen, the home of Patrick Kavanagh? Surely, there should be surveillance on the ground, as there are facilities for aerial surveillance at present and it is not rocket science to root them out? I commend Texaco, which took up a line I took in this House two weeks ago, which was that each legitimate station should post a guarantee stating the fuel on that premises was legitimate and had not been tampered with, interfered with or stretched. People are concerned because there are allegations that some legitimate stations are taking in this supply. This should be rooted out once and for all. The Leader is interested in this as a man who is very much in favour of law and order, as I have heard him state in this Chamber previously on many issues. He should bring the Minister to the House to explain what action has been taken to eliminate this scourge once and for all.

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