Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the implications of the consolidation of the national retail and wholesale oil distribution network on his expressed aim of developing a vibrant Irish biofuels sector and network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26647/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The importation, distribution and retail oil industries are fully privatised and deregulated. Companies make business decisions based on commercial considerations.

Under the merger provisions of the Competition Act 2002, parties to mergers and acquisitions must notify the Competition Authority of their proposed merger or acquisition in advance and obtain regulatory clearance before they can complete the transaction. The Authority is independent in respect of its statutory functions.

Biofuels are not generally available through the petrol station network at present. I do not expect that current trends in the network, which is a commercial matter for the companies concerned, will adversely affect ambitions to progressively mainstream biofuels within the fuel supply system.