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Fuel Prices

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012

Tuesday, 16 October 2012

Questions (208, 209, 212, 213)

Denis Naughten

Question:

208. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the position regarding his Departments working group that was set up to examine the Irish Road Hauliers Association proposals for an essential user fuel rebate; the efforts he is taking to tighten up on the availability of green diesel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44600/12]

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Denis Naughten

Question:

209. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the steps that are being taken to address the laundering of fuel; the total capacity of laundering plants seized this year; the potential loss to the Exchequer of same; the estimated total annual cost of fuel laundering to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44601/12]

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Mattie McGrath

Question:

212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Finance his plans to introduce a pay as you go system of taxation to assist road hauliers who are struggling to meet large taxation on their vehicles due to current market conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44631/12]

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Joanna Tuffy

Question:

213. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider the Irish Road Haulage Association’s proposal for the introduction of an EUR essential user fuel rRebate for the industry which proposal may increase revenue to the exchequer and could save many small and medium sized haulage companies from going into liquidation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44660/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208, 209, 212 and 213 together.

As the Deputies are aware a working group was set up between officials of my Department, the IRHA and members of the Oireachtas. This working group had a series of meetings to discuss issues of concern to the haulage industry including the matter of an essential users rebate. I have recently received a submission from the group and I am considering the matters raised.

On the matters of green diesel and fuel laundering, I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that they are very conscious of the threat posed by the illicit trade in mineral oil products, and in particular by the laundering of markers from diesel. They have, therefore, made action against this criminal activity one of their priorities.

Enforcement action is taken at all stages of the fuel supply chain, targeting both those involved in laundering and those who sell laundered fuel, and notable successes have been achieved. Between 2010 and the present, 18 oil laundries and 583,000 litres of oil have been seized, along with oil tankers and other vehicles. In addition, some 1.3 million litres of illicit fuel have been seized, the large majority from retail outlets or in the course of delivery to such outlets. As well as this, the licensing regime for the sale of road fuels has been tightened up to make it more difficult for launderers to get their product onto the market. Revenue has undertaken a vigorous campaign to close unlicensed outlets and outlets that are not complying with licensing requirements. 32 filling stations were shut down in 2011 either because they didn’t have a licence or were in breach of licence conditions, and a further 24 have been closed to date this year.

I wish to inform the Deputy also that legislative action has been taken that will provide improved underpinning and support for action to control and supervise the fuel supply chain and in that way restrict the ability of launderers to source marked fuel for laundering and also restrict their ability to get their illegal product onto the market. As well as a strengthening of the licensing requirements for the sale of auto-fuel, a new system of licensing for the sale of marked fuels came into operation on 1 October. Revenue has power to refuse a licence where the applicant does not show to their satisfaction that any condition they may attach to the licence can be satisfied, and to revoke a licence if the holder fails to comply with any of its terms.

There will also, from the start of 2013, be a new requirement for all fuel traders to make monthly returns to Revenue detailing their fuel transactions. This will be an important new source of information on the fuel supply chain and will, for example, assist in the identification of unusual or suspicious patterns of activity.

In addition, the Revenue Commissioners are working closely with Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in the UK on the development of a more effective fuel marker. An Invitation to Make Submissions was issued jointly by the two organizations in June. This has generated considerable interest across a number of countries and I am advised that the indications are that a significant number of proposals will be submitted by the closing date of 30 November.

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