asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of independently-owned petrol retail outlets there are in Dublin city and county; if he has satisfied himself that no cartel exists in the ownership of petrol distribution outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Petrol Distribution Outlets.
15.
The information available to me on the ownership of petrol retail outlets is based on the identity of the supplying company rather than geographical area. Accordingly, I do not have a specific figure for such outlets in Dublin city and county. However, I can inform the Deputy that at the end of 1986 the total number of independently-owned stations in the country was 2,924 compared with 451 company-owned stations.
As regards the second part of the Deputy's question I am satisfied that no cartel exists in relation to the ownership of petrol distribution outlets. In fact the legislation at present in force in this area prohibits any of the existing major oil companies who supply more than 20 company stations from increasing the total number of stations which they operate.