Vol. 490 No. 2
75 Ms Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps, if any, she has taken to ensure that the drop in the price of crude oil over the past six months is passed on to the consumer. [9754/98]
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, official price control on petroleum products was discontinued on 1 October 1991 with the entry into force of the Competition Act, 1991. In the meantime the objective and thrust of public policy have been to promote fair and increased competition in all sectors of the economy. I have no plans to intervene as regards the price of petroleum products. I welcome fair and vigorous price competition, based on a variety of prices and diversity of suppliers, which provides significant and enduring benefits to consumers.
