Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
212. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the total number of complaints of petrol stretching and contamination received in the past 12 months by the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30273/15]
View answerI am advised by the Revenue Commissioners, who are responsible for tackling fuel fraud, that they recognise the serious threats that this criminal activity poses to legitimate businesses, motorists and Exchequer revenues. Action against it is, therefore, a priority for them, and they undertake, on an ongoing basis, an extensive programme of compliance and enforcement activities that are designed to ensure adherence to the legal requirements governing the supply and sale of fuels and to allow action to be taken against fraud.
Revenue has, since last summer, received reports from a variety of locations around the country of problems relating to petrol quality, and suggestions that these problems are attributable to petrol stretching. Revenue has received a total of 142 complaints for the period from July 2014 to 30.04.2015, the majority of which originated in Revenue's Border Midland West Region. The numbers received in each month since July 2014 are set out in the following table.
|
Month: |
July 14 |
Aug 14 |
Sept 14 |
Oct 14 |
Nov 14 |
Dec 14 |
Jan 15 |
Feb 15 |
March 15 |
April 15 |
|
Total: |
1 |
12 |
28 |
34 |
42 |
11 |
6 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
Unfortunately figures for May and June 2015 are not currently available but Revenue will revert to the Deputy when same are collated.
I am satisfied that the Revenue Commissioners are taking all possible action to identify and challenge any instances of identified fuel fraud, including, where possible, pursuing prosecutions against offenders.
