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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MPs want action on NI fuel fraud | MPs want action on NI fuel fraud |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A committee of MPs has said it is disappointed at the lack of progress on new measures to tackle fuel fraud in Northern Ireland. | A committee of MPs has said it is disappointed at the lack of progress on new measures to tackle fuel fraud in Northern Ireland. |
| The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said customs officials should work harder to acquire new technology. | The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee said customs officials should work harder to acquire new technology. |
| This is to prevent red diesel from being sold illegally by paramilitaries and criminal gangs. | This is to prevent red diesel from being sold illegally by paramilitaries and criminal gangs. |
| The report comes after the committee heard evidence from a series of witnesses at Westminster. | The report comes after the committee heard evidence from a series of witnesses at Westminster. |
| Laurence Robertson, chairman of the committee, said it was "bitterly disappointed at the seemingly slow pace of progress on acquiring effective technologies to tackle fuel crime". | Laurence Robertson, chairman of the committee, said it was "bitterly disappointed at the seemingly slow pace of progress on acquiring effective technologies to tackle fuel crime". |
| He wants Revenue and Customs officials to acquire the latest "rebated fuel marker technology" as soon as possible, begin a pilot scheme and report back to the committee before the summer. | He wants Revenue and Customs officials to acquire the latest "rebated fuel marker technology" as soon as possible, begin a pilot scheme and report back to the committee before the summer. |
| In the latest report, the committee said it recognised the commitment and effort of individual HMRC officers in the fight against fuel crime in Northern Ireland. | In the latest report, the committee said it recognised the commitment and effort of individual HMRC officers in the fight against fuel crime in Northern Ireland. |
| However, Mr Robertson said: "It should make a more concerted effort to eradicate the problem in Northern Ireland, where it is most prevalent". | However, Mr Robertson said: "It should make a more concerted effort to eradicate the problem in Northern Ireland, where it is most prevalent". |
| Northern Ireland is estimated to have lost £70m in tax revenue due to fuel fraud in 2009/10, down from £250m five years ago. | Northern Ireland is estimated to have lost £70m in tax revenue due to fuel fraud in 2009/10, down from £250m five years ago. |
| Mr Robertson said only four people had received a custodial sentence in Northern Ireland when convicted in connection with fuel laundering. | |
| "It is a serious crime. It affects the environment, it affects health and there is the tax evasion element as well," he said. | |
| "We want to see sentencing guidelines, robust guidelines. | |
| "There is a tendency to think it is only the tax man who loses out. It isn't, it's schools and hospitals. It isn't a victimless crime." | |
| Sinn Fein councillor for Newry and Mourne Terry Hearty agreed. | |
| "This has a serious cost on local councils and local councils pick up the tab for it," he said. | |
| "In the last year we have paid out between £80,000 and £100,000 to lift some of the residue. | |
| "There's a site at Cullaville that hasn't been touched yet, but it's going to cost in the region of £40,000 to clear away. | |
| "So the rate payers of Newry and Mourne would definitely see it as a serious crime." |