Irish ‘war' on oil companies

Press, 16 April 1979, Page 4

Irish ‘war' on oil companies

NZPA London The Irish Government lias taken control of the country's oil supply and distribution in what is being called an allout war on the oil companies. There is a severe shortage of petrol and other oil products in Ireland caused partly by a dock strike at ’ Dublin and partly by international difficulties. Mr Desmond O'Mally, the I Irish Minister of Industry i and Commerce, will now be ■ able to direct the main oil companies to distribute their> stocks as he thinks fit. If 1 they refuse to comply they: will face heavy fines. The move followed a meet-' ing on Wednesday between Mr O’Mally and chief executives of the oil companies. • It is believed that the com. panies refused to give information about the amount of oil available in Ireland and when Mr O’Mally reported! back to the Cabinet he was I immediately authorised fol’

take over responsibihix und • Ireland's Fuel (Control and Supply) Act, 1971. In Belgrade, the Yugoslav Government has also announced oil-saving measures, • including speed limits and earless days. A decfee which will come ’into effect by the end of this month will reduce the maximum speed limit on main roads to 100 km/h and 80 km/h on other roads. Owners of private cars whose registration numbers end with an uneven digit will be banned from the roads on Mondays and on evert first week-end of the month. Those with an even number will not be able to drive on Thursdays and on every third week-end. Trucks and buses will not be allowed on trips longer than 200 km. The decree provides fines for breaches of the new orders. Foreign vehicles will be exempt from the restrictions.