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Fuel Laundering

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2014

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

Questions (45, 46)

James Bannon

Question:

45. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the measurers in place to deal with the serious issue of petrol stretching in the midlands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45408/14]

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James Bannon

Question:

46. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Finance the number of petrol stations in the midlands that have been investigated in the past 12 months by Customs and Excise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45409/14]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they are very aware of the risks posed to consumers' vehicles, legitimate businesses and the exchequer by all forms of fuel fraud in the midlands and throughout the country.

Revenue has, over the recent past, received reports from a variety of locations, including the midlands, of problems relating to petrol quality, and suggestions that these problems are attributable to petrol stretching.  Revenue investigates all complaints of this kind and fuel samples are taken from filling stations and referred to the State Laboratory for analysis where the investigating officers have reason to suspect excise fraud. The State Laboratory makes use of an array of tests to determine whether a relevant adulteration of the petrol has occurred.  Revenue is also working closely with An Garda Síochána in a joint investigation of a concentration of complaints in the midlands and west.

All licensed filling stations in the midlands have been subject to compliance checks by Revenue staff over the past twelve months. Complaints alleging petrol stretching have been received in relation to eleven named filling stations in counties Westmeath, Roscommon and Longford and these are being investigated.

A total of 129 samples of petrol from filling stations in the Border Midlands West Region have been referred for analysis to the State Laboratory following checks conducted from June 2014 to date.  Conclusive results have been received from the State Laboratory in two samples which indicate the contamination of petrol through the presence of kerosene. Files are being prepared for prosecution arising from these results.  To date, no evidence of fraudulently contaminated petrol has been found in any of the other samples referred for analysis and this includes the samples taken in the midlands.

As part of Revenue's normal operating procedures, fuel delivery tankers are challenged when encountered by Enforcement officers throughout the Border Midlands West Region. No cases of contaminated petrol have been identified as a result of these checks from June 2014 to date.

The Revenue Commissioners are continuing their investigation in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and are actively sampling suspect filling stations, monitoring deliveries of petrol and examining the supply chain in an effort to determine the origin of the suspect petrol. Petrol stretching is an offence under Section 102 (1A) of the Finance Act 1999. The Deputy can be assured that, if Revenue's investigations and the analysis of fuel samples by the State Laboratory indicate the presence of illegal stretching agents in petrol, Revenue will take action and pursue prosecutions against offenders where possible.

Motorists themselves should take care about where they source their petrol and should report any suspicions to Revenue.  Revenue has recently launched a dedicated section of its website specifically dealing with the shadow economy and this includes a reporting facility for anyone who has information about shadow economy practices, including the adulteration of fuel.

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