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Dundalk Town Council backs Cllr Mark Dearey’s diesel price call
DUNDALK Town Council is to ask the Minister for Finance to end the price differential between road diesel and marked diesel.
This follows a motion by Green Party councillor Mark Dearey who explained that the issue was now the business of this council, as the toxic sludge residue from the washing of marked diesel was now threatening water courses and public health within the town boundary.
“I see it as our duty to protect our water courses and public health,” Cllr Dearey said. “And now the loacl authority that is most affected by the toxic impacts of diesel laundering is demanding action from the Minister for Finance.
“The Council speaks with authority on this matter and we speak unanimously. We now expect a response.
“The price difference between marked and road diesel creates an economic incentive.
“Remove that price difference and you destroy the incentive.”
Cllr Dearey said his motion also proposes that the minister introduces a registration and rebate scheme so that farmers and other off road users of diesel pay the same as for road diesel but claim back a rebate every three months as happens in New Zealand for off road petrol use. Excise is not charged on diesel in New Zealand. Another form of charge exists based on road miles . The rebate applies to off road petrol use and is claimed quarterly using the form below.
He said the IFA opposed such a scheme when addressing the Oireachtas Transport Committee earlier this year.
“I urged them to reconsider their position given the scale of the problem we are now dealing with in Louth and the loss to the exchequer at a time when every tax euro matters.
“A phased rebate introduction starting in the winter months when fuel useage is lower should be possible. In time the quarterly rebate will then cover the excise incurred in the next quarter.
“The IFA’s support would I believe, be a necessary precondition for the minister to acceed to what the motion proposes and I look forward to their considered response on this matter.”
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Weather for Dundalk
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 18 C
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