andMr. Molony asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism whether he believes that the present system of loading petrol prices with a disproportionate share of the cost of crude oil is satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The practice referred to by the Deputies was followed some years ago with the objective of shielding industry from the full effects of rising oil prices. In revisions made to the maximum prices orders since 1982, the opportunity was taken to reduce gradually the element of loading on petrol prices which had been built up over a period and current selling prices for petrol do not include any significant element of loading.

Is the Minister aware that at least one of the major oil companies operating in Ireland made strong recommendations to the National Prices Commission that this practice should be discontinued because it is regarded as inefficient?

This matter is dealt with in the recommendations of the National Prices Commission. I will be deciding on it in the near future.

Is there any reason why these two Deputies should have put their names to all these questions like Mickey Mouse?

Like Tom and Jerry.

In the absence of a proper Opposition, questions have to come from somewhere.

There is some doubt as to whether Mickey Mouse is a parliamentary creature.

He has featured here on more than one occasion.

A Cheann Comhairle, you will have to rule on that.

18.