31 Ean 2012, 15:04
The problem of fuel laundering, the loss of revenue to the State and its impact on the road haulage sector and retailers in the industry will be discussed by the Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht at its next meeting.
Representatives from the Irish Farmers’ Association, the Professional Agricultural Contractors’ Association, the Irish Petrol Retail Association, the Revenue Commissioners, and the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government will address the Committee on the issue tomorrow, Wednesday, 1st February.
Committee Chairman Ciarán Lynch, TD said: “Fuel laundering is a big problem in Ireland and is harming the real economy. Laundered diesel is costing the State as much as €150 million a year in lost revenue, according to some estimates. It is also costing jobs in legitimate businesses which are finding it difficult to compete against black market operators. On top of this, there is a massive environmental issue from the illegal washing out of agricultural diesel to sell it on for road use. Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear in detail from a number of stakeholder groups, interested parties and government agencies about the extent of the problem and impact it is having on legitimate businesses, State revenues and the environment. These groups will also be able to brief the committee on possible solutions to the problem.”
This meeting will take place on Wednesday, 1st February, in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000 at 10.30am.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Ciarán Lynch, Labour Party (Chairman)
Noel Coonan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Paudie Coffey, Fine Gael
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael
Tony McLoughlin, Fine Gael
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Kevin Humphreys, Labour Party
Gerald Nash, Labour Party
Seán Kenny, Labour Party
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Niall Collins, Fianna Fáil
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Féin
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin
Clare Daly, Socialist Party
Catherine Murphy, Independent
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Independent
Senators:
Cáit Keane, Fine Gael
Catherine Noone, Fine Gael
Labhrás Ó’Murchú, Fianna Fáil
Ned O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Eamonn Coghlan, Independent