Vol. 433 No. 1
157 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he has satisfied himself with the progress that has been made in reducing Irish oil and petrol prices to European levels since the report of the Fair Trade Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the published report of the Commission's public inquiry into the supply and distribution of motor fuels. I am satisfied that, with the coming into force of the Competitive Act, 1991, and the contemporaneous removal of restrictive practices and prices regulations, a good balance has been achieved in providing a regulatory environment which allows price levels to be determined by competitive market forces, while allowing those aggrieved of anti-competitive practices the means to seek redress.
My Department has been mandated to seek to increase awareness of prices differentials between forecourts in co-operation with consumer interests. Under the Retail Prices (Petrol) Display Order, 1986, retailers of petrol are obliged to display the retail price, expressed in pence per litre, for each grade of petrol on sale at their premises. The notice showing retail prices must be clearly visible and easily legible from the public road in the vicinity of the premises. The Director of Consumer Affairs is charged with the enforcement of this Order and infringements may result in court action being taken by him against the retailer concerned.
