Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will identify the organisation that examines the quality of fuel sold at publicly licensed service stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6513/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for fuel quality standards from the perspective of ensuring that petrol and diesel sold in the State meet prescribed environmental specifications to reduce the polluting effect that certain substances have on the environment when emitted to air as part of the fuel combustion process.

Directive 98/70/EC relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels is transposed in Ireland through the European Communities Act, 1972 (Environmental Specifications for Petrol, Diesel Fuels and Gas Oils for use by non-road mobile machinery, including inland waterway vessels, agricultural and forestry tractors, and recreational craft) Regulations 2011. As required by the Directive, Ireland reports annually to the European Commission the results of a sampling programme for both petrol and diesel, including any breaches of the environmental specifications of the fuel. Ireland's latest results were submitted to the Commission on 30 June, 2010 and indicated that fuel sold in the State during 2009 was predominantly compliant with the environmental specifications set out in Irish legislation. The Commission collates the data received from Member States and publishes annual reports, including a summary for each country, which are available to download from the Commission's website, http://ec.europa.eu/environment/air/transport/fuel_quality_monitoring.htm.

Sampling of the fuel is carried out by Officers of the Revenue Commissioners and the samples are analysed by the State Laboratory. In addition, the Irish Petroleum Industry Association contracts an independent laboratory to sample and analyse fuel and the results of that process are included in Ireland's report to the Commission. My Department does not have a role in regulating fuel standards from the perspective of the operational performance of the fuel.