Ireland: Transport Committee Addresses Fuel Laundering
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Thursday, 02 February 2012 |
The transport committee of the Irish Oireachtas (parliament) has met to discuss the issue of fuel laundering, inviting 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 to address the committee.
The Committee moved to address the issue of fuel laundering following a report by retail Ireland, which estimated that 12% of diesel sold in the Republic was 'laundered' to avoid taxation. The activity of illegal criminals, who sell subsidised agricultural fuel for non-agricultural use, costs the state €150m per year.
Parliamentarian Ciarán Lynch (pictured), Chairman of the committee, underlined the seriousness of the issue. “Fuel laundering is a big problem in Ireland and is harming the real economy," he said. "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," added Lynch.
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