Hauliers back crackdown on illegal fuel

THE IRISH Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has called for the seizure of vehicles from hauliers who use illegal diesel as the Revenue Commissioners announce a major clampdown on marked fuel.

Jimmy Quinn, president of the IRHA, welcomed the move by the Revenue to intensify its campaign following almost 500 detections of marked fuel in vehicle tanks this year and 57,500 litres of fuel.

Mr Quinn said through the use of illegal fuels "some people are helping themselves to a full rebate, while the rest get nothing".

He said that in recent discussions with Government on increased diesel prices, the IRHA had called for more checkpoints and welcomed the "very positive response".

In discussions on non-pay issues, he said the hauliers also demanded that vehicles be seized from hauliers using illegal fuels.

"These people are unfit to be in the transport industry," he said, and while everyone was entitled to a "fool's pardon" for the first offence, a second offence should incur serious penalties including the seizure of vehicles.

Mr Quinn also said more customs officials should be employed.

Increased "multi-agency" checkpoints, including gardaí, customs officers, Department of Transport enforcement officers and Department of the Environment officials are expected following 471 illegal fuel detections this year, and 1,192 in 2007.

Road Safety Authority (RSA) officials have recently taken part in checkpoints, as have Department of Social and Family Affairs officials.

Revenue commissioner Liam Irwin said "with the worldwide increase in the cost of oil, we are aware that there is a greater temptation of the unscrupulous trader to use illegal diesel".

"We have a duty to protect the exchequer and safeguard the interest of legitimate traders, and we intend to be increasingly vigilant in this area."

He urged the public to "contact their nearest Revenue office if they know of any fuel misuse or suspicious activity in their area".

Figures released by Revenue for this year show that, along with the 471 detections, there have been 10 seizures of oil totalling 57,500 litres.

They include four seizures of laundered fuel totalling 15,900 litres, a seizure of Northern Ireland kerosene comprising 1,900 litres, and five seizures of green diesel totalling 39,700 litres.

In 2007 there were 1,192 detections of marked mineral oil in vehicle fuel tanks and 30 seizures of oil totalling 118,217 litres.

These included 13 detections of laundered fuel totalling 84,025 litres. A further 16,650 litres of Northern Ireland kerosene was seized, while a total of 12,260 litres of green diesel and 1,282 litres of red diesel were seized along with 5,000 litres of petrol.

According to Revenue, detections were made in almost every county, but were more likely in Border areas. Fuel is currently cheaper in the South, but in Border areas criminals exploit the price differences on either side of the Border and "laundries" are more likely closer to the Border.

Diesel earmarked for agricultural use is marked with a green dye in the Republic and a red one in Northern Ireland. Hauliers and other motorists are not allowed to use it.

According to Revenue, marked diesel is used or criminals use "laundries" to wash out the dye.

The authorities use chemical tests to identify laundered fuel.