Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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107. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints of petrol stretching received by the Garda districts in counties Mayo, Roscommon-Longford, Galway and Sligo-Leitim respectively in each month for the past four months; the position regarding these complaints; the number that have been investigated resulting in a person being charged or a file being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40786/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have set out for the Deputy's information the requested details concerning the number of complaints made to An Garda Síochána regarding petrol stretching, as provided by the Garda Authorities.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that these complaints are currently under investigation. To date no individuals have been charged or files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions. An Garda Síochána are continuing to investigate the complaints and are liaising with the injured parties. Furthermore, contact has also been made with the Revenue's Customs Service who have arranged to have fuel samples analysed for contaminants.

As the Deputy will appreciate, petrol stretching is a matter of serious concern because of the risks to the Exchequer, the threat to legitimate businesses and the damage that can be caused to the vehicles of unsuspecting purchasers of adulterated fuel. Under Section 102 of the Finance Act 1999, it is an offence to sell and/or deliver oil on which Mineral Oil Tax at the appropriate rate has not been paid.

I am informed that in the normal course of work Revenue's enforcement staff take samples of fuel, which are sent to the State Laboratory for scientific analysis, from mineral oil suppliers, including filling stations, to ensure compliance with mineral oil regulations. If the results of the analysis reveals the presence of any illegal stretching agents, the Revenue Commissioners will take action and pursue prosecutions against offenders where possible.

I am further advised that Revenue and the oil sector have cooperated very successfully to tackle diesel laundering and are confident that, with this co-operation and with the supply chain information available to Revenue, the problem of petrol stretching can also be tackled successfully. In this regard it is essential that petrol distributors report on any reduction in the pattern of legitimate supplies of fuel to the retail trade which may indicate that specific retailers are shifting some of their sourcing to laundered or "stretched" fuel.

In addition, motorists themselves should take care with regard to their source of petrol and report any suspicions concerning adulterated fuel which may have damaged their engines to Revenue who will investigate such reports and pursue prosecutions against offenders where possible. In that regard Revenue has recently launched a dedicated section of its website at www.revenue.ie specifically on the shadow economy and this includes an electronic reporting facility for anyone who has information about shadow economy practices such as petrol stretching.

Number of complaints of petrol stretching

Garda Divisions of Mayo, Roscommon/Longford, Galway & Sligo/Leitrim

July-October (to date) 2014

Table 1- Mayo Garda Division