Sir, –Waterways, the land and wildlife are being affected by hazardous wastes left by the diesel smugglers on quiet roads and in water courses.
The cross-Border task force set up to combat this must realise it is fighting an uphill battle. The only reason gangs have begun to launder diesel is the money to be made from it.
The best solution to combat these smugglers would be to scrap green diesel (discounted for farmers) and only have “road diesel” and to refund the farmers through tax rebates.
An NCT-type process on tractors and other such machinery would allow the documenting of mileage to make sure tax returns are only for machinery and not private vehicles.
It would allow the Garda to stop the checkpoints and wasting well-trained personnel on such tasks. – Yours, etc,
G EGAN,
Portumna, Co Galway.