National Legislation

The Fuel Acts 1971 and 1982 and the European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations, 1995 (SI No 96 of 1995) were put in place to safeguard the supply and distribution of oil in an emergency, to meet EU and IEA stockholding obligations, and to gather adequate data regarding consumption, trade and stocks of oil products.

Under the Fuel Acts, the Government may make an order authorising the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to intervene whenever it, the Government, is of the opinion that the exigencies of the common good necessitate the regulation or control by the Minister, on behalf of the State, of the acquisition, supply, distribution or marketing of fuels.

Once the Government Order is in place the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is empowered to make a Ministerial Order or Orders in respect of certain fuel or fuels. Orders have been made in the past in regard to petrol, gas oil, diesel and fuel oil. No such orders are currently in force. Examples of such Orders are the Petroleum Oils (Regulation for the Control of Acquisition, Supply, Distribution or Marketing) (Continuance) Order, 2001 (SI No 148 of 2001), and the Fuels (Regulation and Control of Supply and Distribution of Motor Spirit) Order, 1979 (SI No 172 of 1979).

Fuel Acts Legislation

  • Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act, 1971 (No 3 of 1971)
  • Fuels (Control of Supplies) Act, 1982 ( No 18 of 1982)

 Legislation Currently in Force

  • Irish National Petroleum Corporation Limited Act, 2001 (No 26 of 2001)
  • Irish National Petroleum Corporation Limited Act, 2001 (Commencement) Order 2001 (SI No 328 of 2001)
  • European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) Regulations 1995 (SI No 96 of 1995)
  • European Communities (Minimum Stocks of Petroleum Oils) (Amendment) Regulations, 2001(SI No 65 of 2001)
  • National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007
  • National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 (Returns & Levy) Regulations 2007 (SI No 567 of 2007)

.The National Oil Reserves Agency Act 2007 can be found on the NORA website at the link below.

http://www.nora.ie/regulations_legislation/regulations%5flegislation.450.450.html 

 
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,  29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, Ireland
Tel +353-1-6782000 Fax +353-1-6782449