asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy what action he proposes to take arising from the NPC opinion of June, 1977, that the arrangement for price control of petrol and petroleum products within the outer UK zone pricing structure is at present more beneficial to Ireland.

19.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy when the Government intend to abolish the seven-day rule arising out of the outer UK zone in respect of fuel price increases.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together. The present price control arrangement for petroleum products is suited to this country in the short term because we benefit from the results of competition between oil companies in Britain. It will be recalled that in July last as a result of developments in Britain petroleum prices here were reduced. For the time being, I do not propose, therefore, to change the arrangement but I am continuing to keep it under review.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary appreciate that her reply is totally at variance with the statement made by Deputy O'Malley prior to the election, namely, that he proposed to terminate the arrangement and that termination would result in a substantial reduction in the price of petroleum products? Is there any indication now that he is going to terminate this arrangement?

There is no indication the arrangement is going to be terminated. As the Deputy realises, there is some information available to the Minister now which was not available to him before he became Minister.

Did I understand the Parliamentary Secretary to say that the reduction in July was the result of competition between companies in Britain?

The price came down in Britain because of competition.

And that is why it came down here also?

As the Deputy knows, we abide by the seven-day rule.

It was because of competition in England the price came down here?

Yes.

I am glad the Parliamentary Secretary has learned that because I distinctly remember her saying on Radio Éireann one night that she had brought down the price of petrol.

The Deputy is mistaken. He perhaps read it in an interview in The Irish Times in which I jokingly referred to the fact.

20.