THE Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, has introduced an order on the display of prices and on price reduction promotions at petrol stations.
The new orders will be enforced by the Director of Consumer Affairs and are aimed at improving competition between petrol stations and eliminating confusing price promotions such as the proliferation of "20p per gallon off" signs.
In future, petrol stations must display their prices in pence per litre for diesel, premium and unleaded petrol. The numerals must be not less than 20 centimetres or eight inches high and must be visible from the side of the road nearest the petrol station.
"There has been a proliferation in recent years of forecourts exhibiting signs such as `Diesel - 20p per gallon off'. This practice is both confusing and misleading, particularly as consumers could be given the impression that the reduction applies to the price per litre being displayed elsewhere on the forecourt," said the Minister.
Under the new regulations, price reductions must be shown in pence per litre and indicate the retail price per litre in which the reduction is taking place.
