MINISTER FOR Transport Leo Varadkar was a bit too oily for his own good on Tuesday when he made a series of smiling insinuations about Sinn Féin’s Dessie Ellis and diesel laundering. Ellis made a formal complaint to the Ceann Comhairle on Wednesday about the Minister’s behaviour.
The exchange took place during a discussion on the road haulage industry. Dessie, who is Sinn Féin spokesman on transport, remarked that progress had been made in the effort to combat fuel laundering “through the use of new dyes, etc”.
“We must find a means whereby we can stop people tampering with fuel.”
Leo was fascinated. But not with the advances in protecting the integrity of forecourt diesel.
“It is interesting that Deputy Ellis appears to know a great deal about fuel laundering, etc. He certainly seems to know a little more about the subject than I do.”
Dessie bridled. “I don’t know where you got that impression.”
To which Leo replied, with a smirk: “Perhaps Deputy Ellis might agree to meet me in private in order to inform me about the tricks of the trade and so on.”
Dessie was furious. “I don’t know what the Minister is implying, but I take offence at what he said. I’ve never supported anyone who has been involved in fuel laundering. I want to make that clear,” roared the Dublin North West TD, demanding the Minister withdraw his insinuating remarks.
Leo assured him he was not implying he had done anything illegal.
“Well then, what are you saying?”
Leo couldn’t resist. “I’m just impressed by your level of knowledge with regard to what is happening in the area,” he replied, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Dessie was apoplectic. Leo unapologetic.
“I want an apology,” he told us. “I’ve also requested the Ceann Comhairle to talk to Leo and outline that this is unacceptable and an abuse of parliamentary privilege.”
If some ministerial oil isn’t poured on his troubled waters Dessie indicated that he may have to get down and dirty with Leo.
“He’s doing this quite regular; he’s like a loose cannon. It’s not unusual for him to make these insinuations against me in the Dáil. If that’s the way he’s going to do business, we could all do that. I could say something about him, and I wouldn’t be shy about saying something. . .”
