John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 253: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the level of monitoring which takes place by his Department officials to ensure that high quality fuel is delivered from the refineries to the diesel pumps in filling stations; the reason Ireland is in breach of the EU directive which states that the maximum sulphur level would be 50PPM diesel mix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32238/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of claims submitted from diesel vehicle owners for each county where the water content is above the EU directive which comes directly from the refineries where suspended water can be as high as 130 and if dispensed in a diesel pump, to certain diesel vehicles can cause untold engine damage, resulting in thousands of euro damage; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that as a result of this the reputation of retail filling stations can be damaged as they can be labelled as selling laundered diesel. [32239/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many filling stations dispensing diesel are forced to have samples sent to independent laboratories to check the quality of diesel fuel from refineries as untold engine damage can be caused or in some cases vehicles wrote-off where the water content is in excess of 50; the reason he is allowing such profitable refinery businesses to incorporate high level of suspended water content in diesel fuel breaching a clearly defined EU directive; when he will give a Ministerial order to deal with this national problem effecting diesel filling stations and the owners of diesel vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32240/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 255, inclusive, together.

Ireland is in compliance with the requirement under Directive 98/70/EC to apply a maximum sulphur content of 50ppm in diesel fuel from 1 January 2005. As part of the national arrangements to ensure compliance with the Directive, diesel fuel samples are taken by the Revenue Commissioners at both refinery and oil terminals, and examined by the State Laboratory. In 2005, 94 diesel samples were analysed for sulphur content and all were found to be in compliance with the limit value. The average value for the year was 27ppm, well below the EU requirement and consistent with the separate requirement under Directive 2003/17/EC to move progressively towards sulphur free-status. Sulphur-free petrol and diesel will be mandatory from 1 January 2009. The water content of diesel is not a matter within my Department's remit and I am not aware of the issues raised.