asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the steps his Department are taking to ensure that the recently acquired Whitegate Oil Refinery will reduce immediately the lead content of its petrol; and if there are any plans to ensure that Whitegate will eventually produce lead-free petrol for the Irish market.
Written Answers. - Lead Content of Petrol.
60.
I have instructed the Irish National Petroleum Corporation to reduce the lead level of petrol processed when the plant reopens from 0.64 grammes per litre and to conform with the EEC standard of 0.4 grammes per litre as soon as the initial "running-in" period is completed.
The question of producing lead-free petrol in refineries, including Whitegate, presents technical difficulties of a substantial kind but I will ask INPC to have this matter examined in the context of any upgrading work to be undertaken.