Opposition call for action after discovery of toxic sludge

The Opposition are today demanding strong measures to tackle illegal fuel sales.

It follows the discovery of 48,000 litres of toxic sludge, a by-product of illegal diesel laundering, on the M1 motorway in Co Louth.

The sludge was dumped inside a trailer on the hard shoulder of the motorway just north of Dundalk.

Fianna Fáil TD for Louth Seamus Kirk says the discovery again emphasises the need to crack down on the criminal practice of diesel laundering.

"This is just the latest incident of toxic sludge being abandoned near the border as a result of illegal diesel laundering, and it again emphasises the need for a crack-down on this criminal practice," said Deputy Kirk.

"I have submitted a series of questions to Minister for Finance Michael Noonan on this issue to determine what the Government is doing to tackle this significant problem.

"I have asked him if he is concerned that the current level of diesel laundering is resulting in substantial loss of revenue to the State, and if he has held discussions with his counterpart in the Northern Ireland Executive to consider cross-border schemes to tackle the problem of fuel smuggling."