Statoil Usher's Quay - Prices Explained?

[HanleyS]

I've always wondered why this crowd could charge so much for their petrol and diesel. They are 35% dearer than the bulk of their competitors.

This is just another example of waste in the public sector.

Why aren't these people given DCI fuel cards or similar? There are plenty of 24 hour service stations around to satisfy civilian demand.

Garda fumes at petrol contract
ONE of the most expensive petrol stations in Ireland is being used by a steady stream of Garda and ambulance drivers contracted by the State to use its pumps.

As part of what is believed to be a deal between the Government and Statoil, gardai and ambulance drivers working within the city centre are being told to use the pricey Statoil station on Usher's Quay, opposite the Four Courts.

As a result, gardai and ambulance drivers are travelling large distances to fill up at the city-centre pumps.

The station - which is currently charging €1.35 per litre of petrol compared with the average of 99¢-€1.02 per litre - is being used to fill the tanks of patrol cars from a number of the city centre's main garda stations.

One garda estimated that it is costing the taxpayer up to €300 a week to fill his patrol car.

While filling his State vehicle at the gas pumps, the garda told the Sunday Independent that he thought the decision to use one of the most expensive petrol stations in the country was "ridiculous".

"I don't know of any other Statoil in the city centre; I would always use this one," he told us. "This car would use up about 35 litres a day because it's going 24 hours.

"It's not my call, though - it's a State car. They want me to come here because it's the main Statoil petrol station in the city centre.

"The next Statoil station is in Clondalkin, I think, so this is where all the guards have to come - be they from Kilmainham, Pearse Street, Kevin Street or Harcourt Terrace - to get their petrol. It's absolutely ridiculous - but that's the State for you . . . they're backward."

He continued: "I'd be happy to use somewhere else if I could. I use the Shell station for my own car and it's only around 99¢ a litre, so I'm happy with that. But this is a State car, so it doesn't really bother me."

An ambulance driver with the Health Service Executive who was also filling his vehicle at the pumps at €1.35 had the same attitude. "It's not my problem," he said. "I don't do the contracts. I just find the nearest Statoil petrol station and fill it."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the HSE said: "It's a value-for-money thing more than anything else." They then explained their reasoning. "Where on-site fuel is not available for Ambulance Emergency Responsive Vehicles, prior arrangements have been put in place at a local level with Statoil.

"This arrangement was made with Statoil in line with the required criteria to meet the specific needs of the Ambulance Emergency Responsive Vehicles and to run an efficient ambulance service."

She cited the need for 24-hour accessibility to a fuelling service all year round, the proximity of the fuelling stations to the areas in which ambulances operate and the need for a facility that provides a traceable service among the list of reasons why specific petrol stations were chosen.

When contacted, management at the Statoil station had no comment to make.

The Gardai said: "We have contracts with a number of fuel suppliers to supply fuel to the gardai.

"These contracts are awarded following a competitive tendering process which is undertaken by the Government Supplies Agency on behalf of the Garda Siochana," said the Gardai.

[Risteard]

I've always wondered why this crowd could charge so much for their petrol and diesel.

Probably to cover the cost of the hangman.

[Coles]

How the hell can this happen?! Why would the State tolerate an abuse of its contract like this? Has the State not given enough away to Statoil with the Corrib Gas deal?

[Twin Towers]

Its hard to believe what that particular service station gets away with charging, always 40% above the going rate. Apart from the public services using it which is a disgrace, i regularly see trucks and private buses filling there, i guess they just dont look at the price

[HanleyS]

I have considered another possibility, that is the Indo's shaky relationship with the truth. Perhaps these people are actually using DCI cards or similar and not paying the advertised rate. Most fleets would use them.

Clarification is needed in any case.

[PinkoLeftie]

I bought petrol there a few days ago. But I didn't pay the advertised price. Using my Motorcard, I only paid 98.18c per litre.
I'd imagine the state services are getting the same if not a better rate.

Btw.. the receipt says the wrong, higher price, which is misleading.

[EvotingMachine0197]

Yeh, I read this in the Sindo yesterday. What enraged me even more than the fuel contract with the most expensive garage in Ireland, was the attitude of the Garda and ambulance driver they interviewed - 'Its not our money so we dont give a fukh what the price is'.

This attitude is prevalent in the civil service across the board. It is disgusting. Why can't these idiots see that it IS their money. It's all of our money. Gob************************es.

Competitive tendering process my hole. Someone knows someone. More vile corruption.