asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is in a position to estimate the total monthly cut in oil and petrol supplies which will result from the Middle East situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (resumed). - Cut in Oil and Petrol Supplies.
The allocation of petroleum oils to this country as well as to other member countries will be made by the O.E.E.C. which is at present considering the basis on which allocations generally should be made. For the purpose of planning rationing and distribution controls, I have had to assume certain overall levels of supply; but, pending the decision of O.E.E.C., I do not consider it to be desirable or likely to serve any useful purpose that I should announce what these levels are; nor would it be practicable at this stage to make forward estimates of monthly supplies as requested by the Deputy. I would refer the Deputy to the fact that when forecasting petrol rations, I made it clear that should there be any material alteration in the supply position the coupon values will be varied upwards or downwards according as is appropriate.
Can the Minister indicate whether the supply position will be such as to result in a reduction of supplies for industry, agriculture and for public transport?
I think the Deputy must know that the Suez Canal is blocked and that supplies have been held up. Everybody knows that has had a reaction on the supply of petroleum products. That fact——
We are not children and so we know that but, if the Minister had looked at the question, I take it he would have understood it was intended to ascertain the priorities which the Minister intended to determine. The question was intended to ascertain whether the Minister had determined the priorities in regard to industry, to agriculture and in regard to public transports.
I take it the Deputy has not overlooked what I said in reply to Question No. 25—that "further announcements regarding other aspects of the petroleum shortage will be made, as the need arises, from time to time." These matters are under consideration. Meanwhile there is no rationing.
No what?
No official rationing.
The Deputy is preening himself with delight.
I succeeded in inducing the Minister to be informative. He has told us there is no official rationing. You cannot get a gallon out of any pump in the country to-day.