With unemployment rocketing, fuel prices rocketing and interest rates continuing to rise the attractions of using a bit of the green stuff don't need spelling out and the fact that it's illegal to use it in ordinary road vehicles doesn't seem to be putting people off. There is also a thriving trade in "laundering" green diesel which effectively washes out the dye but officials can still identified laundered fuel through chemical testing.

Truckers in particular will be tempted as their costs have gone through the roof recently but the authorities are well aware of what's going on and revenue and customs have announced they will be stepping up checks for offenders and dealing harshly with those caught. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has called for the seizure of vehicles from hauliers who use illegal diesel. The official line from them is that those who use it are not fit to be a part of the industry and the IRHA are all for a string crackdown.

This year there have been 471 detections of illegal fuel along with 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.

It seems that the traditional Irish disrespect for authority is one thing that may be on its way back with the demise of the Celtic Tiger.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment