Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

That was a weak and ineffectual reply from the point of view of the person who is trying to get petrol at a reasonable price. There is clearly deep suspicion about price fixing. Is the Minister aware that an advertisement in this regard has been placed in various newspapers similar to the advertisement placed by Newry solicitors regarding planning, which unearthed major scandals in the planning system? The Minister must accept some responsibility. There is widespread concern and many questions about petrol prices and the fact that they tend to rise at the same time and stay at the same level. The price may vary regionally but within regions the price is more or less the same. If it looks, smells and feels like a cartel, one must do something about it. However, it is not clear who has the authority to do it. The Minister says he can deal with oil reserves but he will not deal with the issue confronting the individual buying petrol.

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