asked the Minister for Industry and Energy the sulphur content in diesel oil for private cars in Ireland and other member states of the EEC; and the level in diesel oil for all the oil companies which sell in Ireland.

Under the relevant EEC directive the level of sulphur content in diesel oil for use in zones where atmospheric sulphur dioxide pollution is low, as in Ireland, is limited to 0.5 per cent. I am advised that the sulphur content level in auto diesel oil on sale here is lower than 0.5 per cent over all, and lower than 0.3 per cent in many cases.