Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 242: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to address the situation regarding the use of winter grade oil, in view of the experience during the recent freeze, when householders and businesses had problems with frozen diesel and oil tanks. [6669/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I have no function in relation to this matter. My functions in respect of oil supply are set out in sections 34 and 35 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, as amended, and the Fuels (Control of Supplies) Acts 1971 and 1982.

Sections 34 and 35 of the National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007, as amended, requires the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to determine the volume of strategic oil reserves to be held by the National Oil Reserves Agency and to direct the release of strategic oil reserves in the event of supply disruption.

The Fuels (Control of Supplies) Acts 1971 and 1982 provide that the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources may regulate the supply and distribution of fuels including crude oil and petroleum products in the event of an emergency.