Petrol prices down, but diesel up

The survey has found that the average price of a litre of petrol at 98.8c had fallen by over one cent, when compared with the ODCA survey of 9 to12 August where the average price was 99.9c.

The average price of diesel, however, had increased by 2.1c from 91.4 to 93.5c.

Director of Consumer Affairs inspectors carried out price checks of petrol and diesel at stations on 20 and 21 September.

The survey, which involved checking the prices of 210 petrol and diesel outlets in 58 towns and cities spread over 15 counties, showed that the cheapest petrol can be purchased in Dublin.

Tesco, at 92.9c per litre is the cheapest for petrol. The next cheapest at 93.9c are Shell and Esso in Dublin 11, Shell on the Malahide Road and Texaco in Portmarnock. These outlets also were the lowest for diesel at 84.9 cent.

The highest price for diesel, at 97.9c per litre was found at Statoil, Deansgrange Road and the Shell stations on Donnybrook Road and Ninth Lock Rd. Clondalkin.

Outside Dublin, Texaco in Model Farm Road at 93.9 cent per litre had the cheapest petrol. Two other Cork outlets (Shell in Douglas and EMO, Southlink) were charging 94.9 cent. The cheapest station for diesel was Shell, Ashbourne at 87.9c.

Five stations in Cork, as well as one in Mayo and Meath were charging 88.9 cent per litre.

At 109.1 cent per litre for petrol, a Texaco station in Clonee, Co Meath was the highest. It was also the dearest for diesel at 106.5c.

The next highest price for both petrol and diesel was Shell, in Tipperary Road, Limerick at 108.6 cent for petrol and 105.3 cent for diesel.

Commenting on the findings of the survey the Director, Carmel Foley said: "It is clear that price awareness and competition can help the consumer. Over the past few weeks the price of petrol was under the microscope.

"However, the same attention had not been given to the price of diesel. It is interesting to note from the surveys carried out by my office which are intended to be indicative of the state of the market, that while the average price of petrol has fallen marginally, diesel prices have increased. I am not in a position to say if there are reasons for the increase in diesel prices, but I do feel that it is important that consumers are aware of the of the position."