Motorists can expect to pay less for petrol and diesel after oil companies recommended a reduction in prices charged at service stations, on top of price reductions announced in the Budget. The decreases reflect a recent drop in the international price of barrels of oil.

The chief executive of the Maxol group, Mr Tom Noonan, said yesterday his company reviewed prices in light of changes internationally and had recommended a drop of 2.2p on a litre of unleaded petrol and a drop of 1.2p on a litre of diesel.

Ms Martina Byrne, public relations manager of Statoil, said it had recommended a drop of 2.3p per litre in unleaded petrol at the pumps, with no change in the cost of diesel or home heating oil.

A Texaco Ireland spokesperson said it had recommended a drop of 2.25p in a litre of unleaded petrol and 0.1p per litre of diesel.