Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will extend the price display order requirements to include a requirement on fuel stations to notify the consumer authority by text or e-mail of the price of fuels charged in order that a mapping of prices could be easily drawn up by the authority. [40122/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Retail Price (Diesel and Petrol) Display Order 1997 obliges those selling petrol and diesel products to exhibit notices at their premises of the retail price per litre being charged for those products. The purpose of the Order is to allow consumers to inform themselves of the prices being charged by particular fuel retailers in their locality so that they can make informed choices as to how to get the best value for money. Evidence available to the National Consumer Agency, particularly in the grocery area, shows that consumers by being strategic in relation to where they purchase goods can act as a catalyst for greater competition particularly in the area of prices.

In so far as the Deputy's suggestion is concerned, I am not altogether convinced that it would be practical to extend the scope of the display orders to oblige fuel retailers to notify the National Consumer Agency of the prices they charge for petrol and diesel products and of any changes to those prices. I do, however, accept that there is need for greater transparency between the manner in which the retail price for fuel paid by consumers follows changes in the wholesale price. In this regard, the Deputy will be aware that in September I requested the National Consumer Agency to undertake a survey into why pump prices for petrol and diesel have not fallen in line with the drop in the wholesale price of oil. I am advised by the Agency that work in relation to this matter is well underway. I understand that as part of its work, the Agency will seek to benchmark movements in prices in Ireland against those in other EU countries and that it will also seek to examine the frequency and the timeliness in which changes in the wholesale price are being passed on to consumers. I look forward to receiving the Agency's report into this matter and to considering any suggestions in relation to improving the transparency of the relationship between the wholesale and retail prices of fuel products.