I have been informed by the Garda authorities that details of the number of complaints of petrol stretching received by An Garda Siochána for the Garda Districts in counties Mayo, Galway, Roscommon-Longford, and Sligo-Leitrim for the period June to December 2014 to date (as at 10 December) are provided in the appended table.
I am further informed that to date no files have as yet being submitted by An Garda Siochána on these cases to the Director of Public Prosecutions and that all reported incidents remain under investigation.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is Revenue's Customs Service which takes the enforcement lead nationally in relation to this issue and the Service is supported in this role by An Garda Síochána as required. In this regard I have been advised by the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána that all reports of petrol stretching are being followed up as a matter of course and samples of fuel are sent to the State Laboratory for scientific analysis where there is reason to suspect excise duty fraud.
In addition to analysing samples referred to it, the State Laboratory is providing technical and scientific support for the ongoing investigations as the analysis of potentially stretched petrol is a complex one which, to date, has involved a significant level of time-consuming, non-routine testing bearing in mind the sufficient level of evidence required in order to pursue prosecutions in this area. I am also advised that the volume of samples sent for analysis has necessitated a reallocation of resources within the State Laboratory.
In this regard the Laboratory has prioritised the testing of all samples submitted in connection with the petrol stretching issue, and all staff who have the necessary experience and expertise in this area are currently being deployed to work on these samples. If the results of the analysis reveals the presence of any illegal stretching agents, I can assure the Deputy that the Revenue Commissioners take action and pursue prosecutions against offenders where feasible.
The practice of petrol stretching is a matter of serious concern to the Government as it results in losses to the Exchequer, threatens legitimate businesses and potentially can cause significant damage to the vehicles of unsuspecting purchasers of adulterated fuel. I can assure the Deputy, therefore, that our law enforcement authorities are continuing to direct their resources to address this issue.
No. of complaints to An Garda Síochána (Western Divisions) of petrol stretching June-December 2014
|
Month
|
Sligo/Leitrim Garda
Division
|
Mayo Garda
Division
|
Galway Garda
Division
|
Roscommon/ Longford Garda
Division
|
|
June 2014
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
July 2014
|
0
|
9
|
0
|
6
|
|
August 2014
|
0
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
|
September 2014
|
0
|
105
|
0
|
17
|
|
October 2014
|
0
|
59
|
7
|
13
|
|
November 2014
|
0
|
41
|
11
|
23
|
|
December 2014 (as at 10 Dec)
|
0
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
|
Total
|
0
|
222
|
21
|
65
|
