Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 7

Written Answers. - Unleaded Petrol Usage.

John Bruton

Question:

235 Mr. J. Bruton and Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the rate of increase in usage of unleaded petrol in each year since an incentive for the use of unleaded petrol was introduced in 1988; and if he has satisfied himself with the rate of increase since then to the present level of 27 per cent usage.

John Bruton

Question:

236 Mr. J. Bruton and Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the proportion of motor vehicles now on Irish roads that are capable of running on unleaded petrol.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 235 and 236 together.

In 1989, the first full year following the introduction of a tax differential in favour of unleaded petrol, its use grew from a negligible base to 7 per cent of all petrol sales. By 1990, unleaded petrol accounted for 19.4 per cent of all petrol sales, in 1991 for 25.7 per cent, and at end-March, 1992 for some 30 per cent of all petrol sold. I am satisfied that this progress compares creditably with that of our EC partners.

Vehicle registration particulars do not differentiate between leaded and unleaded petrol use. It is estimated, however, that approximately 50 per cent of the national petrol engined fleet is now capable of running on unleaded. Virtually all new cars now have this capacity. The effect of regulations shortly to be made will be that, from the beginning of 1993, all new petrol engined vehicles will have to be capable of running on unleaded petrol.