David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 421: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on fully automated unmanned filling stations as pertains in many parts of Europe; the impediments to establishing such filling stations here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12377/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The primary legislation governing petrol storage and dispensing in Ireland is the Dangerous Substances Act of 1972 and the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) Regulations 1979 (S.I. No. 311 of 1979) as most recently amended by the Dangerous Substances (Retail and Private Petroleum Stores) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 630 of 2006).

The purpose of the 1979 Regulations as amended is to control retail stores (petrol filling stations) and private stores for the keeping of petroleum Class 1 (petroleum-spirit) through a system of licensing, in order to prevent risk of injury to persons or property in the storage, conveying, loading and unloading, and in dispensing operations carried on in connection with the stores. Under the Regulations, all sites storing petrol must hold a licence that is issued by a licensing authority — typically the relevant local authority.

The 1979 Regulations stipulate a number of requirements that would prohibit or restrict the operation of fully automated unmanned filling stations in Ireland, including the requirement that the dispensing of petroleum must be constantly supervised and controlled by an authorised person.

Petroleum Class 1 is a flammable liquid posing a much higher danger than diesel or kerosene due to its very low flash point (the temperature at which the vapour will ignite), hence the detailed and specific legislation controlling its storage and dispensing.