Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 500: To ask the Minister for Finance the reason there is such a difference in prices in respect of red and white hydrocarbon products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24966/05]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the price differential between auto-diesel, which is used in vehicles such as cars, vans, lorries and buses, and the type of diesel known as marked gas oil, which is used for other purposes including use as fuel for agricultural machinery. The price of mineral oils is a function of a number of factors, only one of which is tax. However, in this context, mineral oil tax would account for the main difference in price and is charged on auto-diesel at a rate of €368.05 per 1,000 litres while marked gas oil has a reduced rate of €47.36 per 1,000 litres. A number of other EU countries allow a reduced rate of excise for diesel used in similar circumstances.