asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he is aware that diesel for fishing boats has again been increased by 10p per gallon; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Diesel.
8.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the price of marine diesel oil which is the fuel oil used by most Irish fishermen.
I am informed that the present prices for marine diesel oil represent an average increase of 1.529p per litre or 6.95p per gallon as from 7 January 1981.
The unit price charged varies from one oil company to another and from area to area depending on the distribution arrangements.
The Minister is aware, of course——
The Deputy should not tell the Minister what he is aware of. Ask him a question.
The Ceann Comhairle is interrupting too much.
Is the Minister aware that the price of diesel in can is only 25p a gallon? Is he further aware that these things should be taken into consideration when he is dealing, as he was yesterday. with our partners in the EEC with regard to reference prices. The Minister must be aware that about 50 per cent of the cost at present in the fishing industry is taken up with diesel?
Pardon?
50 per cent of the entire fishing costs has to do with diesel.
The Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism are responsible for fixing the maximum price of petroleum products. Value-added tax is not charged on marine diesel. As well as being excluded from the application of 15p per gallon in the duty on petrol and diesel oil imposed in the budget this year, fishermen have been granted a concession whereby 2p per gallon on the excise duty payable by them on diesel oil used in fishing operations may be refunded to them. The concession will not come into operation until 1 June 1981, at the earliest.
A final supplementary, please.
The Minister is aware that the 2p per gallon rebate which he talks about was overcome the following week by an increase of 7p per gallon. That was no deal. It was a disgrace. It is only a con job.
Question No. 9.
I am talking about the 2p per gallon excise duty. That reduces it from 7p to 5p.