Mr. Kevin McPartlan:

The expert group we have called for relates to the impact that the cost of taxation and other Government policies will have on fuel. To take this morning as an example, the carbon tax increase last night means that approximately €1.05 is paid in tax to the Government on every litre of petrol. It is slightly less for diesel; it is approximately €1 for diesel. There are then compliance costs, one of which is the renewable transport fuel obligation, RTFO, scheme. The focus of the expert group should be on those areas.

I do not wish to dodge the Deputy’s question on fuel quality. I cannot accept that this is a common problem because, as I was coming here, I did not see tons of cars, vans and trucks on the side of the road with problems. There is independent fuel quality monitoring in Ireland. Under the European fuel quality directive, it is required that all member states have a specific standard of fuel quality monitoring. That monitoring is being carried out in this country for more than 20 years and there has never been any sort of substantial non-compliance with the fuel quality directive. We know the product we are selling is meeting the fuel quality standards absolutely routinely. We do not accept that there are any calls for concern on fuel quality.