FUEL COSTS AND THE NORTHERN IRELAND ECONOMY

That this House notes with concern the effect of the high cost of diesel fuel on the haulage industry in the United Kingdom, where the price of such fuel is far above that which prevails in other EU countries; is particularly concerned with the situation in Northern Ireland, where the haulage industry has to compete with hauliers in the Irish Republic who can buy diesel fuel at 53p per litre following the recent reduction in tax of 7.3 Irish pence per litre; notes that this is leading to ever-increasing smuggling of fuel into the UK from the Irish Republic and a vast increase in cross border shopping, leading to severe losses to the Treasury and to the retail sector in Northern Ireland; and calls on the Government to take immediate and effective steps to prevent smuggling and restore a level playing field for fuel retailers within the United Kingdom.