asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he proposes to take to prevent large petrol companies from withholding supplies of petrol from small petrol pump owners some of whom have already been notified that their supplies are being terminated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Termination of Petrol Supplies.
40.
I understand from the Examiner of Restrictive Practices that he has had this matter under investigation for some time. He has ascertained that one oil company has a policy of disengaging from uneconomic petrol stations where the proprietors are agreeable. The company has assured the examiner that in any other case where it is proposed to terminate supplies, the examiner will be given the opportunity of making a full examination of the matter beforehand. I hope that this arrangement will remove any danger of the unfair or unreasonable withdrawal of supplies in any case.
The Minister is to be congratulated. In any case in regard to which I have made representations supplies have been made available.
That is a statement rather than a question.
It is a very welcome statement. I thank the Deputy.