Vol. 394 No. 4
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any plans to use the National Petroleum Corporation to force down the price of petrol taking into account the serious disruption in trade and commerce in the Border counties and the huge increase in the smuggling of petroleum products.
132.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any plans to use the National Petroleum Corporation to force down the price of petrol in this country, having regard to the serious disruption in trade and commerce which is being brought about by the high differential in petrol retail prices North and South of the Border.
133.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has any plans to deregulate the petrol retail sector in the interest of lower petrol prices, having regard to the serious loss of income being experienced by petrol retailers in the Border counties.
134.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the unfavourable exchange rate in the punt against sterling is disrupting the normal course of trade and commerce in the Border counties and is leading to serious job losses in the retail sector; and if he has any plans to counteract this serious problem.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131, 132, 133 and 134 together.
The Irish National Petroleum Corporation operate under the aegis of the Minister for Energy and I have no function in regard to their policies or activities. I have no plans at present to deregulate the petrol retail sector.
As regards cross Border shopping, the Deputy will be aware of the introduction by the Government of the "48 hour rule". This has had the effect of substantially reducing the volume of shopping in Northern Ireland by residents of the Republic. The implementation of this rule is undertaken by customs and excise staff and recent measures have been taken to strengthen their ability to combat smuggling. I understand that in reply to Questions Nos. 84 to 89 and 91 on today's Order Paper the Minister for Finance is dealing with these matters in more detail.
