Vol. 430 No. 8
28 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the Government's policy in relation to forecourt promotions by the oil companies in view of a previous Government's action against such promotions because they were perceived to add to the net cost of petrol to the motorist; and if his attention has been drawn to any plans by any of the major oil companies to resume such promotions.
In recent years oil companies have in general, refrained from using forecourt promotions. While previous Ministers for Industry and Commerce have threatened to introduce legislation in this area, there is no statutory prohibition on such promotions by oil companies.
One oil company has informed me of its interest in participating in a national promotional scheme. I remain to be convinced that a legislative ban on such promotions would be appropriate, given the present environment of de-regulation and the public resources that would be required to police such a ban nationwide.
