Vol. 438 No. 5
112 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Finance the action, if any, he proposes to take with regard to the fact that marked gas oil available in this country for agricultural purposes can be used by commercial vehicles outside the State; and if he will examine the possibility of having a European standard colour for all fuels for commercial vehicles.
The use of marked gas oil in a motor vehicle in the State is an offence which carries severe penalties. The use outside the State of oil marked with the Irish marker is a matter for the authorities of the countries concerned. In December 1993, the EU Commission presented a proposal for a Council directive on the fiscal marking of oils. Under the proposal a marker common to all member states would be added to gas oil used for purposes other than as fuel for motor vehicles. The Council has not yet discussed the proposal.
