Whose responsibility is it to ensure that retailers sell the quality of petrol they advertise?

That is a separate question.

It is related to Deputy Collins' question.

The question relates to the quality of petrol.

It is the same question.

I have indicated that my Department have not any function in regard to testing.

I should like to know who is responsible for testing if the Minister is not.

The Deputy's question relates to retailers selling the wrong quality of petrol and that is a separate matter from that raised by Deputy Collins.

Is the Minister responsible for the quality of petrol?

That is what the question put by Deputy Donnellan is about.

The Deputy's supplementary question concerned an allegation that some retailers were cheating.

Who is responsible for the quality of petrol sold by retailers?

I can only tell the Deputy about the responsibilities of my Department and I have told him that they do not include testing.

If the Minister cannot answer my question it is possible that the Taoiseach might answer it.

I have answered the question in relation to my Department.

Who is responsible for testing petrol?

I have indicated that I can only answer in respect of my Department.

Can the Minister suggest to whom I should address a further question in relation to this matter?

No. The Deputy is aware that the IIRS have certain standards. If the Deputy is asking who is responsible within the House then he will have to work it out for himself. I have told him that I am not responsible.

If that the kind of answer we can expect to get from the new Government it is a sad state of affairs.

On occasions retailers have sold low grade petrol at high grade prices and I should like to know whose responsibility it is to ensure that consumers get a fair crack of the whip.

Not the Government's responsibility, apparently.

The pack has been reshuffled so the three-card-trick is easy.