asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will state in relation to the price of regular grade and premium grade petrol: the price of petrol in Ireland and England, clearly identifying the make up of this price taking into account (a) the incidence of Government taxation and (b) exchange rate differences; and if he will explain the difference in price levels in these two countries.
Written Answers. - Petrol and Oil Prices.
520.
Based on the prices fixed in the Maximum Prices (Petroleum Products) Order, the average Irish retail prices for regular and premium grades of petrol are: Regular, 231.91p per gallon; Premium, 234.17p per gallon.
The following are the proposed average UK retail prices expressed in Irish pence per gallon of the major oil companies from the week commencing 21 June 1982: Regular, 215.90p per gallon; Premium, 220.87p per gallon.
The following figures, all converted to Irish pence at current exchange rates, show the taxation elements — duty and VAT — of these prices: Regular, UK (p. gal.) 115.92p; Ireland (p. gal.) 121.07p; Premium, UK (p. gal.) 116.57p; Ireland (p. gal.) 121.41p.
521.
asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if the cost of industrially used fuel oil is higher in Ireland than in other European countries; if so, if he will illustrate the differences by comparing Irish prices with those obtaining in other specific European countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have taken the Deputy's question to refer to heavy fuel oil.
The price data available to me on comparative European prices is extremely tentative and does not provide a reliable basis for me to furnish accurate information in reply to the Deputy's question.
From calculations which my Department have made, based on the latest oil company prices available from the EEC and our own estimates of the incidence of taxation on these products in the member states, it appears that the Irish consumer price is higher than the other member states prices with the exception of Denmark. Unfortunately, because of the unreliability of the data and because I understand there is no consistency of approach by member states as to the prices reported, I am not in a position to give a price comparison as requested by the Deputy. At best, all I can say is that our calculations show Irish prices to be about 5 pence per gallon above those in the UK, but also 5 pence per gallon below those pertaining in Denmark.
I must emphasise that these figures are estimates.