Written Answers. - Petrol Retail Regulations.
Michael Ring
Question:
125
Mr. Ring
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the compensation, if any, which will be paid to petrol station owners who have to alter or cease trading on the introduction of the new regulations in 1999 in view of the fact that their livelihoods are derived from the sale of petrol.
[21169/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
126
Mr. Ring
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if there is an exemption of the regulation on the location of kerbside petrol stations in view of the fact that there is only one petrol station in the village of Irishtown, County Mayo.
[21170/97]
Michael Ring
Question:
127
Mr. Ring
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she will give details of the new regulations governing kerbside petrol stations being introduced in 1999.
[21171/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125, 126 and 127 together.
The operation of all petrol retail outlets is covered by the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations, 1979 (S. I. 311 of 1979) as amended by the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) (Amendment) Regulations, 1988 (S. I. No. 303 of 1988).
The 1979 regulations laid down national licensing requirements for retail and private petroleum stores. These regulations were developed to address the dangers which exist in relation to the operation of such stores. The sole purpose of the regulations was, and is, the effective control of the licensing of retail petroleum stores in order to prevent the risk of injury to persons or property, in storage, conveying, loading, unloading and dispensing operations carried on in connection with such stores.
Due to the fact that a considerable number of petrol retailing stations did not meet the necessary safety standards in respect of space, storage of petroleum and access for vehicles, the 1988 regulations provided an exemption until 31 December 1999, from a number of the 1979 regulations. The position regarding the implementation of the regulations is under review at present.
In practice it is, in the first instance, the relevant local authority or harbour authority to which an application for a licence is made and it is the relevant local authority or harbour authority which decides on the granting of certain exemptions from the requirements of the above mentioned 1979 regulations. In this regard I am not therefore in a position to comment on the specific situation in Irishtown, County Mayo as referred to by the Deputy.
My Department does not operate any grant or subsidy scheme in respect of the adaptation or relocation of premises in order to comply with the regulations.
