asked the Minister for Energy the contingency plans which he has made to safeguard the supply of oil to this country in view of the situation in the Gulf.
Written Answers. - Oil Supplies.
57.
First, I should like to stress that the oil market is remaining calm despite events in the Gulf region.
Having said that, my Department has in place a detailed emergency response programme which would come into operation in the event of an oil crisis. This programme, described by the International Energy Agency (IEA) as "well-prepared and flexible", centres on the use of demand restraint measures aimed at limiting the amount of fuel in the hands of the distributors and reducing availability to consumers.
The legal authority for the implementation of such measures derives from the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act, 1971, as amended, under which a Government order devolves power on me, as Minister for Energy, to regulate or control the acquisition, supply, distribution and marketing of all fuels in the common good. In addition to overt demand restraint, existing public awareness of the need for moderation in energy use would be bolstered by a publicity campaign.
I should also mention that Ireland's membership of the IEA and the EC entitles her to a share in any drawdown of strategic stocks held by member states. Under new IEA mechanisms oil stock drawdown arrangements could come into operation within seven days, should the need arise.