andMr. Enright: asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware that a major oil company (name supplied) is delivering only 80 per cent of July 1978 quota while in the case of other oil companies over 100 per cent of July 1978 quota is being delivered.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Deliveries.
3.
I am not so aware. While individual companies are affected in varying degrees by the factors giving rise to the current shortfall in supplies, I am informed that the percentage deliveries of oil products by the company concerned are not as low as 80 per cent, either overall or in respect of any particular product.
I should like to ask the Minister what action he intends taking in the case of a company which has not lived up to its responsibilities and the promises made to him in respect of deliveries for this month? Is the Minister aware that the company issued circulars to the effect that only 80 per cent of the July 1978 quota will be delivered this month?
The company concerned a few days ago informed my Department that the figures it was delivering were well above the figure of 80 per cent. I am not at liberty, for obvious reasons, to give details in respect of individual companies of what the precise percentage is but it is certainly above 80 per cent. It may be that in the last few days deliveries by this and other companies have fallen below what they had intended because of the strike or go-slow which is going on.
The question of the strike intervening in the meantime has nothing to do with this. The circular issued long before the strike took effect. The Minister took on the oil companies some time ago. Let him take this company on now and demand that they deliver the quota they said they would.
If the Deputy is alleging that they sent out the circular and that the information which the company concerned gave my Department a few days ago is untrue, will he give me the circular and I will take it up with the company?
It was circulated some weeks ago to retail outlets which this company supplied.
If it was I am sure the Deputy will be able to lay his hands on a copy.
Will the Minister then take action?
Yes.