asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is a fact that domestic heating oil is costing only half as much in Northern Ireland as in this jurisdiction; if petrol and diesel are being substantially reduced in price while heating oil has actually been increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Domestic Heating Oil.
32.
The information available to me indicates that heating oil (I presume the Deputy is referring to gas oil) is cheaper in the State than in Northern Ireland.
My inquiries reveal that the schedule price for a litre of heating oil is 21.33p Sterling — about 24p Irish — in Northern Ireland whereas it is less than 21p here.
The price of gas oil in June 1987 immediately prior to my introducing control of petrol and autodiesel prices was 21.25p per litre compared with a current price of 20.92p per litre. These figures show a reduction over this period rather than an increase as the Deputy suggests.