Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

When similar questions were raised about the mobile phone market, the regulator, ComReg, responded with a website which outlined to consumers in clear terms the difference in prices and options on offer from various operators. Would it be forward thinking to take a lead on this issue and speak with the energy regulator about similarly comparing diesel, petrol and biofuel prices throughout the country? As someone who drives between Cork and Dublin on a regular basis, I can state the costs vary widely. While the Minister states his understanding is that the margins on petrol are tight, the reality is that the price for people at the pump varies significantly from petrol station to petrol station. It may remain the same within regions and this is the potential cartel activity mentioned by Deputy McManus. Does the Minister agree many problems would be solved if the regulator took a lead on this issue and published prices on a website so people could make comparisons?

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