Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 3

Written Answers. - Petrol Prices.

Austin Deasy

Question:

26 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the wide variation in the prices of petrol and diesel at filling stations; and if he will make it obligatory on owners of such outlets to display their prices in a more prominent manner than is currently the case. [2905/97]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I welcome fair and robust price competition, based on price variations and a diversity of suppliers, which offers significant and enduring benefits to consumers. The Retail Prices (Petrol) Display Order, 1986, requires petrol retailers to display in a clearly visible and easily legible manner the prices they charge for each grade of petrol. The order is enforced by the Director of Consumer Affairs.

I have decided to make a new price display order. This follows consultations with the director of Consumer Affairs, the Consumers' Association of Ireland, the Irish Petroleum Institute, representing the major oil distributors, the Society of the Irish Motor Industry, the Service Station Retailers' Federation and the Automobile Association. The principal changes being provided for are that retailers will be required to display their prices per litre for 95 octane unleaded petrol, premium leaded petrol and diesel, which is not comprehended by the present order and the prices indications for each of these products must be of a minimum size of 20 centimetres, in respect of the numbers on the left hand side of the decimal point.

In addition, I intend to make an order under section 11 of the Consumer Information Act, 1978 regulating the practice, which is now widespread, of exhibiting notices stating 20p per gallon price reductions. The order will require that retailers must display on a separate notice, in the case of the three products mentioned earlier. The amount of any purported price reduction per product expressed in pence per litre; a description of the price being reduced, whether it is, for example, the previous price or the distributors' recommended price; and the total amount of the price being reduced. The minimum 20 centimetre size requirement will also apply in this order.

These orders are currently being prepared by the Attorney General.