asked the Minister for the Environment the measures he is taking to encourage people to change from using leaded to unleaded petrol.
59.
Written Answers. - Unleaded Petrol Usage.
46.
asked the Minister for the Environment the progress, if any, which has been made in promoting the sale of unleaded petrol; and the steps he is taking in the matter.
I propose to take Question Nos. 46 and 59 together.
Action has been taken on a number of fronts to encourage the use of unleaded petrol by Irish motorists.
The tax on unleaded petrol has been reduced by 9p per gallon over two budgets to allow it to sell at 5p per gallon less than premium leaded petrol. The effect of these concessions in excise duty has been exploited to the full and publicity and information campaigns to promote unleaded have been in operation for over a year. A nationwide outdoor poster campaign which began last July has just concluded and about a quarter of a million car window stickers and information leaflets have been circulated to motorists.
While these measures are designed to raise public awareness on the need to change to unleaded, it is essential that State and semi-State sectors should give a lead in the national campaign. Therefore since June 1989, all vehicles assigned to Garda headquarters have been using unleaded. This includes cars in the ministerial fleet which are capable of doing so, and the Garda authorities are making arrangements to facilitate the use of unleaded in the remainder of the fleet where this is practicable. Local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department have also been requested to support the campaign by ensuring that existing petrol driven vehicle fleets use unleaded petrol where possible and that all new petrol driven vehicles to be purchased be capable of using unleaded. Other Ministers have been taking similar action in relation to bodies under their aegis.
The number of outlets selling unleaded petrol has been rising rapidly over the past 12 months and now stands at over 1,200, or over 40 per cent of the total number of outlets in the country. As these outlets are mainly in high volume sites accounting for over 80 per cent of total petrol sales, availability is much greater than even the figure of 40 per cent would suggest. At least 1,350 stations will be retailing unleaded by the end of the year, and with regular petrol being phased out, I expect that unleaded outlets will increase further in 1990. All major towns, most small towns and many villages now have unleaded available, and sales are rising at about 1 per cent per month. Sales of unleaded are now running at about 11 per cent of total petrol sales, and there is every indication that these figures are set to increase. My Department will continue to monitor progress on this matter over the months to come, and I will take whatever further steps may be necessary to encourage more motorists to use unleaded petrol.