109 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Finance if he has satisfied himself that there are adequate measures in place to combat oil smuggling and illegal oil laundering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21199/04]

I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that tackling oil smuggling and oil laundering is a priority area for Revenue enforcement officers. By way of illustrating the priority given to combating illegality in this area, during the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, eight oil laundries were detected and 134,000 litres of laundered oil were seized, along with associated plant and equipment. Four offenders have been prosecuted and convicted of oil laundering offences, and a further eight cases are pending. On average, each of the laundries detected was capable of processing up to 50,000 litres of oil per week. This could have resulted in sizeable losses to the Exchequer if left undetected.

In addition to the focus on oil laundries, checks are also carried out at filling stations throughout the country and in the past 12 months these have resulted in 17 detections being made and more than 237,000 litres of laundered oil being seized. Prosecutions are pending in 13 of these cases. In the case of oil smuggling, 23 seizures, amounting to 208,000 litres of oil, mainly kerosene, have been made during the 12 months ending 30 June 2004. In addition, six offenders have been successfully prosecuted and a further five cases are pending. The Revenue Commissioners also advise me that combating this illegal trade involves close interaction with other agencies and in particular with the Criminal Assets Bureau and with customs officers from Northern Ireland.

Finally, the legislation and powers necessary for tackling oil fraud are kept under continuous review. Most recently, legislative amendments were introduced in the Finance Act 2003 to facilitate the prosecution of cases involving the use or sale of laundered oil.