Meeting with Louth retailers about impact of Black Market – Kirk

Published on: 28 February 2013


Louth TD Seamus Kirk is to meet with local retailers and their representatives, Thursday afternoon, to discuss the impact on them from the Black Market.

Deputy Kirk said: “Last year a report was published by Retail Ireland entitled ‘Tackling the Black Market and Retail Crime’, which shows the cost to the taxpayer is €860 million per year.  Before Christmas the authors of this report, outlined the extent of the problem at a briefing organised for the Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party in Leinster House.  On the back of this, I’ve decided to meet with retailers in Louth to discuss the scale of the problem to allow me to relay those concerns to the Government.

“I have consistently called for the Government to take immediate action to address this growing problem.  Our retail sector in Louth is being badly impacted by the growth of the black market.  I want to hear the views of retailers and other business organisations in Louth on this matter.

“Jobs are at risk across Louth as consumers are diverted away from legitimate retailers.  Following on from our meeting, I would like to bring the concerns of retailers and other business groups to the attention of the Government, and specifically Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton.

“There is an urgent need to find a permanent solution to the issue of fuel laundering.  The consequences are huge as vehicles are damaged, legitimate businesses suffer, the taxpayer is hurt, and Louth County Council has to foot the bill to clean up the mess,” concluded Seamus Kirk.

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