Customs legislation and fuel laundering
Deputy O’Mahony asks when customs legislation will strengthen action against fuel laundering and cigarette smuggling. Deputy Howlin says it will not appear until next year, while noting existing and forthcoming Budget measures.
Is there any progress on the customs Bill? Will it give greater power to the Customs and Excise to combat fuel laundering and cigarette smuggling? This is becoming epidemic and it is costing millions to the State and jobs to those who are paying their taxes and who are complying. The Bill will make the Minister's job a lot easier when he is drawing up budgets.
Comment on this
Customs legislation will not be introduced until next year, but the issue of fuel laundering has been tackled already by the Minister for Finance, and he had something to say about it in last year's budget. I think he will have something further to say about it this year.