Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

This amendment relates to the functions of NORA in the event of a national or international emergency. There have been no emergencies in the fuel area since the 1970s, when everybody became an expert on the issue. The immediate questions at that time were how quickly we could gain access to stocks, how quickly they could be released onto the markets and to what extent they might affect supply at the petrol pumps. It was only when people were pushing their cars to petrol station forecourts and forming long queues that there was a recognition of the degree to which it is necessary for State institutions to be able to procure and provide the necessary supplies to run the country.

Some people claim that such provision will happen in the natural order of things. We discovered in the 1970s that this was not the case. We learned something of the complexity of oil stocks and markets, and recent experience has reminded us of this. Prices can be puffed up to suit the market and supplies can rise and fall in accordance with necessity, as perceived by those in the area of investment. I am concerned about hardship for any group in society but I have a sneaking suspicion that oil magnates are not the most fraught. They seem to be able, at a blip on the screen, to add another billion or two to their resources.

The amendment proposed by Deputy Broughan is useful. Something we did not discuss but which is relevant to the issue of supply within the State is the quality of the product. This is not provided for as it could be, and the Minister should consider that in the context of this amendment. I have heard complaints from people who claim that the quality of some of the supplies imported into the State is below par.

In some areas, large scale refitting had to take place to diesel engines. The supply is coming from Russia. I raised this question but it was disallowed because the Minister has no responsibility for it. I am surprised he does not have responsibility because the question of supply is governed by this legislation and NORA will have responsibility for supply in emergency situations and in similar ones. The quality of that supply will have a serious bearing on the degree to which these provisions will be available for the public's benefit.

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