Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The agency possesses the competence to follow up on an individual issue to which the Deputy refers, quite apart from the general question which is also a matter of some concern.

The price of oil and diesel is a matter that must be addressed by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with the relevant agencies. There is a need to ensure that there is transparency as regards pricing arrangements. Oil prices have doubled in the past 12 months, from $62 to $126 per barrel. That sort of variation depends on the availability of oil and the stocks that are already in place. Without prior notice, I do not have details of the latter to hand this morning.

We have established agencies to deal effectively with these matters.

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