John Connor
Question:53 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of hydrocarbon oil dealers that were prosecuted for trading without a current licence in view of the fact that their tax affairs were not in order. [9143/96]
Written Answers. - Hydrocarbon Oil Dealers.
John Connor
Question:54 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of licensed petrol and oil fuel filling stations in this State. [9144/96]
John Connor
Question:55 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Finance the number of licensed hydrocarbon oil dealers in this State. [9145/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 54 and 55 together.
In accordance with section 21 of the Finance Act, 1935 any person who sells or delivers petrol or diesel fuel for use for combustion in the engine of a motor vehicle is required to obtain an excise licence. The number of such licences issued in 1995 was 2,565.
With effect from 1 July 1994, applicants for these licences were required to obtain a tax clearance certificate as a precondition for the grant of a licence. Traders who persist in trading without the necessary licence are liable to prosecution and since the introduction of tax clearance 19 traders have been convicted in the District Court for unlicensed trading. Court hearings are pending in another 56 cases.
The Customs and Excise staff continue to carry out regular checks to detect unlicensed trading.