Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his or other Departments have responsibility in respect of the importation or storage and retail of petrol or diesel with particular reference to the standard and quality of these fuels; if checks are carried out with a view to ensuring that the quality of the fuel in all circumstances is up to a specific standard or in the event of there being no such standards or assurances, the measures taken to ensure the quality of the fuels in storage here or abroad, as anticipated in the NORA Bill, are of the highest quality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9180/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have responsibility for this area, however, I understand that the standards for unleaded petrol and diesel are as follows: The European Standard I.S. EN 228 "Automotive fuels — Unleaded petrol — Requirements and test methods" specifies requirements and test methods for marketed and delivered unleaded petrol. It is applicable to unleaded petrol for use in petrol engine vehicles designed to run on unleaded petrol. The European Standard I.S. EN 590 "Automotive fuels — Diesel — Requirements and test methods" specifies requirements and test methods for marketed and delivered automotive diesel fuel. It is applicable to automotive diesel fuel for use in diesel engine vehicles designed to run on automotive diesel fuel. In the context of the Fuels Directive (98/70/EC and its amendment 2003/17/EC, both of which were transposed into national legislation by the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Environmental Specifications for Petrol and Diesel Fuels)(Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. No. 202 of 2004)) monitoring of petrol and diesel is carried out by a worldwide certification company. However as I understand it, this monitoring is more focused on the quality of fuels in the context of air quality rather than quality as fitness for purpose. My colleague the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government will have more information on this matter. As sponsor of the NORA Bill, I refer the Deputy to my colleague the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.