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PRESS RELEASES
09 May 2005
NIOF reject Phoenix claim for regulation
Commenting on the release by Phoenix, David Blevings of the Northern Ireland Oil Federation said, “the rise in world energy prices has been well documented in the media and I am very surprised that Phoenix thinks that the private sector, which operates in perfect competition, needs Government control. Local oil distributors operate in a fiercely competitive market with over 300 suppliers and are regulated by market forces. The consumer in Northern Ireland buys oil home heat some 3.5% cheaper than their counterparts in Great Britain and 17% cheaper than consumers in the Republic. Many consumers now budget for their fuel by using PayPoint, an electronic pre-payment system operated by numerous distributors in the Province. We believe that it is common knowledge that the local oil industry does not operate as a monopoly and despite continuous attempts by Phoenix to discredit the local oil distribution industry, the number of homeowners using oil continues to rise, year on year, showing that consumers prefer the safety, reliability and convenience of oil heating.