asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if any further applications have been made to him for increases in oil prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Prices.
185.
I have no proposals from the major oil companies for increases in the price of petroleum products.
Can the Minister state if there is under consideration an application by the retail outlets? Is this information in his brief?
The Deputy is aware that the major petroleum companies in Ireland were allowed to increase their wholesale prices on 21st February. The increases are in the public domain. Otherwise I have no further information.
186.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he intends to take any action as a result of the excessive profits made by the multi-national oil companies on stocks of oil purchased before 1st January, 1974.
I have no evidence that excessive profits were taken by the petroleum companies on stocks of oil purchased before 1st January, 1974.
Is the Minister and the Government not aware that over £6 million profit was made overnight by these companies? Is the Minister aware that the multi-national oil companies made over £6 million profit on the stocks they held?
I take it that is a rhetorical question.
I did not ask for the Minister's opinion on the grammar of the question.
Could the Minister state what stocks were held by the companies at the time?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister satisfied that no profit was made by these companies on oil in store at the time?
My answer was that I have no evidence that excessive profits were taken by the petroleum companies on stocks of oil purchased before 1st January, 1974.
Could the Minister state what he means by "excessive"?
I am calling Question No. 187.
The Opposition are keeping a House here today and, in fairness to them and to Question Time, I think the Chair should allow us to ask the Minister supplementaries.
The Deputy should appreciate the fact that there are 346 questions to be answered.
And there will be 300 more next week. We have dealt with over 180 questions on a Thursday afternoon.
The Deputy seems to be accusing the Chair now.
I am not accusing the Chair, but I should like to point out that about the only right an Opposition Deputy has is the right of asking questions and we should be entitled to exercise that right.
The Deputy is well aware that we cannot have an argument at Question Time.
I am not arguing. I am only pointing out something.
The Chair is pointing out to the Deputy that there may not be arguments over questions and answers at Question Time.
There has been a fair run of questions and I think supplementaries should be allowed.
The Chair has allowed as many supplementaries as the Chair thinks proper.
In other words, you gloss over the fact that there was a £6 million profit made by the multi-national oil companies.
The Chair will not indulge in argument with the Deputy and the Deputy should not indulge in argument with the Chair.
I am not indulging in arguments with you.