Retail prices for petrol and diesel are at their highest since price controls were removed in 1991, says the Automobile Association (AA). Regular unleaded petrol, the most commonly used fuel, now costs an average of 64.27 pence per litre. Leaded petrol is 74.60 pence and diesel 58.80 pence per litre.

"The trend in oil prices has been upwards for the whole of 1999, 1998 saw unusually low oil prices, but since the start of the year they have sky-rocketed," says public affairs manager, Mr Conor Faughnan. Although international oil prices have risen, taxes make up 75 per cent of the total retail price. The AA is asking the Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, not to add to the price of petrol in next week's Budget. AA is encouraging consumers to shop around and advises buying in units of litres rather than in units of pounds to make savings more apparent.