asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will introduce legislation under which petrol companies will have to display on each petrol pump the octane rating of the petrol.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol Octane Rating.
15.
Octane ratings are shown on some petrol pumps while on others there are indications of the grade of petrol. The question of the effect on the quality of petrol of high octane rating and of additives is a complex one which is being examined at an international level and I consider it would be premature to take a decision on this matter at present.
Does the Minister see the obvious advantages in having the octane rating marked on every petrol pump so that people who are paying money for petrol will know exactly the quality of the petrol they are getting?
I think that currently people have a choice. The Deputy will also be aware that there is very major rethinking internationally which involves engine design, ignition control and the non-desirability of using high octane petrol in motor cars. If there is to be a change I do not want to be caught making a regulation which will last for only six months.
Is the Minister aware that this is in operation in Britain and working very satisfactorily?
He is aware of that but he is also aware of the fact that there is a choice and that there are Irish garages which operate this and people can go to them if it is important to them.
Surely the Minister must be aware from his own statement that because of the design of certain engines they are not suitable for high octane petrol. Surely the octane rating of every grade of petrol should be marked on the pump so that people who want to use low octane petrol will know exactly what they are buying.
Question No. 16.
The Minister cannot push it off like that.
The Chair cannot compel a Minister to answer.
It is repetition of a question which the Deputy asked and I answered a moment ago.
The Minister did not answer it satisfactorily.
The Chair has no control over that matter.
The Minister said that there are certain engines which do not require high octane petrol. Would he not introduce legislation to ensure that people who want to use a lower octane rating will know exactly what they are buying?
It sounds a reasonable question but I do not think the Deputy is familiar with the situation. The whole range of octane rating is under consideration. There is a school of thought which considers that the present octane ratings are inappropriate. In the near future we may have to recast the whole question of petrol quality and engine design entirely. While I agree with the thought in the Deputy's question, I think it is premature to make a regulation now while the matter is under international consideration and we might have to change the regulation in a short time.
Will the Minister state for how long it has been under international consideration?
The Chair is passing on to Question No. 16.
I will answer that if I have it in front of me. I have not got the date.