Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 4 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 5

Written Answers. - Motor Fuel Filling Stations.

P. J. Sheehan

Ceist:

50 Mr. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the future plans, if any, her Department has for existing kerbside petrol and diesel filling stations post 1999; and if they will be allowed to operate as usual. [6495/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. T. Kitt)

The operation of all petrol retail outlets is covered by the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations, 1979 (S.I. 311 of 1979) as amended by the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) (Amendment) Regulations 1988 (S.I. No. 303 of 1988).

The 1979 regulations laid down national licensing requirements for retail and private petroleum stores. These regulations were developed to address the dangers which exist in relation to the operation of such stores. The sole purpose of the regulations was and is the effective control of the licensing of retail petroleum stores in order to prevent the risk of injury to persons or property conveying, loading, unloading and dispensing operations carried on in connection with such stores.

Due to the fact that a considerable number of petrol retailing stations did not meet the necessary safety standards in respect of space, storage of petroleum and access for vehicles, the 1988 regulations provided an exemption until 1 December 1999, from a number of the 1979 regulations.

The Health and Safety Authority in conjunction with my Department has recently carried out a review of the above regulations. As a result of this review, I now intend to repeal the existing regulations and replace them with a new set of regulations. The new regulations will provide a framework of general principles and will be sup ported by codes of practice produced by the Health and Safety Authority. The approach will be based on a risk assessment of each premises which will ensure that necessary safety measures are in place. The new regulations will also impose general duties on petrol station operators to store and dispense petrol in a safe manner.

The drafting of the new regulations and the codes of practice to support them are well advanced. However, further examination and consultation has still to be carried out. It is my intention to have the regulations finalised well in advance of the deadline of 31 December 1999.