asked the Minister for Energy the methods used by his Department to ensure continuing purity and quality of petrol and if he is aware that criticisms have been made in this regard.

I am aware that criticisms have been made in the recent past about (i) a marginal reduction in the octane rating of petrol and (ii) the lead content of petrol, but I am not aware of any other complaints.

As regards (i) I would refer the Deputy to the answer given on 8 November 1979 to a question on this matter.

An EEC Directive lays down the maximum lead content for petrol to be placed on the market in member states after 1 January 1981 at 0.40 grammes per litre. The petrol produced at Whitegate has a lead content of 0.64 grammes per litre. This country has been granted a derogation from the limit for a period of five years in recognition of the fact that the additional cost of compliance would put the continued operation of the refinery in danger.

Tests are not carried out by my Department to ensure the continuing purity and quality of petrol but I am informed that the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards arranged tests in the past which confirmed that the octane ratings here were very close to those applicable under the British specifications for similar grades.

As matters stand, the prescribing of standards for petrol, or indeed for other products, is not a responsibility of my Department.

Is the Minister aware that there has been criticism about the purity and quality of petrol being supplied to garages? Is it the Minister's intention to take steps to ensure that there is a unified level of purity and quality of petrol?

I have already indicated my awareness of grounds of complaint and I dealt with them. I do not know if the Deputy is now referring to other grounds of complaint, but I am not aware of any such complaints.

Is the Minister satisfied with the frequency of testing petrol for its purity at various points throughout the country?

I have already set out the position in relation to the octane rating and the lead content. Is the Deputy referring to something else?

No.