Over the past two years, Fuels for Ireland has been pressing the case for something that I believe is long overdue: an expert group to review how taxation and other Government policies impact the retail price of fuels for transport and heating.

This isn’t just an abstract exercise. It’s about the future of your business, the viability of forecourts across the country, and the livelihoods of the people who work in them. It’s also about making sure that the State’s approach to the energy transition is fair, reasonable, and sustainable for everyone — not just for those who can afford to make big changes to their vehicles or heating systems right now.

A sector that already delivers

Every litre of fuel we sell makes a significant contribution to the State’s finances. Between excise duty, VAT, carbon tax, and statutory levies such as the National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) levy and the Better Energy Levy under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme (EEOS), our sector delivers an estimated €6 billion every year into the Exchequer.

We also provide employment for around 30,000 people, with jobs spread through every town, city and rural community in Ireland. And our forecourts are more than just fuel pumps — they are vital retail and service hubs, particularly in smaller towns and villages.

Transition without fiscal foresight?

We at FFI fully support the energy transition. Our members are investing heavily in renewable liquid fuels like HVO and bioethanol, expanding EV charging infrastructure, and preparing for future fuels.

But in almost every policy discussion I’ve seen, the focus has been on how taxes and levies can encourage or discourage certain technologies and behaviours. Far less attention has been paid to the flip side of that coin — the impact these measures have on the actual cost of energy, on who bears those costs, and on the long-term stability of State revenues.

This is not just a matter of economics. The reality is that those who are least able to afford a switch to new technology — from internal combustion engine to electric vehicles, or from oil-fired heating to heat pumps — are being left behind. Their bills are increased in the name of “encouraging” them to switch, but for many, those options are simply out of reach. In practice, they are paying more and more to subsidise wealthier households who can afford to cut their heating and transport costs through upgrades. Fuels for Ireland is calling for a coherent approach and a dedicated tax group for fuel pricing policies.

It’s not just about tax

When most people hear “fuel prices” and “Government policy” in the same sentence, they think of fuel duty or carbon tax. But there are other significant factors baked into the pump price:

• Renewable fuel obligations such as the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) and the forthcoming Renewable Heat Obligation (RHO).
• The EEOS/Better Energy Levy, which obligated parties recover through fuel prices.
• The NORA levy, currently set at 2cpl, which funds our national strategic fuel reserves and provides resources for the Climate Action Fund.

Each of these measures has a purpose, but they all come at a cost. That cost lands with motorists, home-heating oil customers, and — inevitably — with the businesses that serve them.

The North–South price gap

Nothing illustrates the need for a comprehensive review more clearly than the fuel price gap between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

Right now, industry data shows that fuel in Northern Ireland is around 20 cents per litre cheaper than in the Republic. For an average 60-litre tank, that’s a saving of €12.

For home-heating oil, the gap can be €150 to €185 per 500 litres.

The reasons are complex: differences in excise, VAT, and levy structures; currency fluctuations; and — importantly — higher renewable fuel obligations in the Republic, meaning our petrol and diesel carry more compliance cost than theirs.

The consequences are straightforward and damaging to the ROI industry:

• Significant volumes of fuel sales — and the associated tax revenue — are leaking across the border.
• Forecourts in border counties are losing customers and, in some cases, closing altogether.
• And those who cross the border to fill up rarely stop at the forecourt — they often do the rest of their shopping there, taking advantage of generally lower retail prices. That’s more lost business for retailers here at home.

Three principles for a fair approach

The Expert Group we are calling for would be tasked with developing a coherent approach to fuel pricing policy, built on three core principles:

1. Revenue stability — ensuring the State has a fair, reliable, and predictable income from transport and heating fuels during and after the transition.
2. Support for the transition — designing fiscal policy that differentiates between fossil and renewable fuels, while staying technology-neutral in principle and incentive-aligned in practice.
3. Affordability and fairness — protecting essential users and those with no realistic alternative from being overburdened, and preventing a situation where the least well-off pay for the decarbonisation of the better-off.

Who should be at the table

We believe the Expert Group should bring together all the relevant expertise and perspectives, including:

• Department of Finance and Revenue Commissioners
• The climate and energy policy department (currently DECC/D/CEE) and Department of Transport
• SEAI, NORA, and the Parliamentary Budget Office
• ESRI/academic energy economists and CSO (for data)
• Consumer advocates, fuel-poverty experts, and regional/border economy representatives
• Industry — including Fuels for Ireland, forecourt retail, freight, and maritime fuels
• Environmental experts in lifecycle carbon accounting, renewable fuel sustainability, and climate policy integration

Why it matters to you — and what you can do

This is not just about high-level policy. It’s about your business and your community. If you operate a forecourt, every element of Government policy that influences fuel prices affects your competitiveness, your turnover, and your customers’ choices.

Without a comprehensive review, we risk letting these policies develop in silos, with no one looking at the combined effect. That’s bad for business, bad for consumers, and bad for the State’s revenue base.

The Budget in October is a critical moment. We want the Minister for Finance to announce the establishment of this Expert Group in Budget 2026. That won’t happen unless there’s political will behind it — and that’s where you come in.

I’m asking you to contact your local TDs and Senators before the Budget. Tell them you support the creation of an Expert Group on Fiscal Policy and Fuels. Tell them why it matters to your business, your employees, and your customers.

Together, we can make sure this issue is not overlooked, and that the decisions shaping our future are grounded in evidence, fairness, and common sense.

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Consumers are not only arriving to refuel, but they’re also going to a convenience store – predominately across Europe and the Middle East – to purchase lunch or coffee, collecting car wash tokens, scanning loyalty cards, etc. They are moving through the site with purpose. Today’s consumers are time poor and their need to complete more than one task at a time (e.g., refuelling and purchasing lunch on route to work, while also being able to pick-up a delivery from parcel lockers) is highly sought after. In today’s retail environment, this level of accessibility is no longer “nice to have”, it’s a necessity.

The most successful fuel retailers understand this behaviour. They don’t treat a customer visit as a one-time transaction, but as a series of consistently good experiences, delivered every time to capture true consumer loyalty.

Dover Fueling Solutions^® (“DFS”) helps retailers deliver those experiences through a connected suite of technologies, from advanced Wayne^® and Tokheim^® fuel dispenser technology to the DFS Order Kiosk powered by FLYX and Prizma, DFS’ connected mobility and convenience hub that links forecourt and store systems. Together, these tools help build operational consistency, streamline service, and create journeys worth repeating. Loyalty is more than collecting points.

First Impressions Start at the Dispenser

The dispenser – whether conventional fuel or clean energy – is often the first point of engagement between a consumer and the fuel retailer or fuel site. It sets the tone for the overall consumer experience. If the refuelling process is slow, unclear, inconsistent, or payment doesn’t work as expected, consumers notice, and they remember. If a dispenser is out-of-service, many consumers, particularly during rush hour or peak driving times, will leave to refuel elsewhere – approx. one in three consumers (32%) would walk away from a brand or company after one bad experience. But when the experience is seamless, responsive, and informative, it becomes part of a broader service standard that encourages return visits.

DFS’ latest dispenser portfolio in EMEA has been developed with both performance and communication in mind. Large-format displays, fast-response interfaces, and improved accessibility help ensure a smooth fuelling experience.

Site Control Without the Complexity

Managing a modern fuel site involves more than just fuel. Car washes, loyalty schemes, mobile payments, unmanned terminals, and point-of-sale (POS) systems can all add value, but also complexity. Prizma helps fuel retailers simplify this ecosystem.

By unifying control of multiple touchpoints into a single interface, Prizma enables retailers to streamline operations across single or multi-site setups. This is especially valuable in EMEA, where cross-border retail often involves managing language preferences, regional regulations, or differing fuel types.

With real-time analytics and remote diagnostics, retailers can address issues before they impact customer experience. Prizma also integrates with back-office systems and supports a wide range of payment methods, making it easier to deliver a smooth, joined-up journey from pump to c-store. This kind of operational consistency enables the seamless integration of fuel reward programs in EMEA, supporting personalised offers, loyalty apps, or card-based schemes. By removing friction across the site, Prizma makes on-site and remote control easy and enables retailer to optimise the customers experience, which helps maximise site profits.

This is incredibly important as 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a great customer experience, with those customers spending up to 140% more than those who experience negative interactions.

Reducing Queues and Improving Service Flow

Self-service technology is gaining traction across certain parts of EMEA, particularly at fuel sites with integrated convenience stores. In many European markets, consumers are familiar with self-checkout kiosks in retail and hospitality settings, making fuel site adoption more practical. Yet, it’s not consistent across the region, as some sites in Middle East and Africa (MEA) markets operate without a c-store, and full-service fuelling remains standard in many areas.

For forecourts where self-service is viable, the DFS Self-Checkout Kiosk helps reduce queues, shorten transaction times, and ease staffing pressure during busy periods. It makes the overall experience quicker, allowing consumers to continue their day with minimal interruption. In fact, 77% of consumers opt for self-checkout due to faster service.

When it comes to made-to-order food and beverage transactions, the DFS Order Kiosk improves flow and provides retailers with upselling opportunities without slowing down the front counter. Sites using the system have seen basket value increase by up to 26%. Not only does the DFS Order Kiosk benefit fuel retailers, it also improves the overall customer experience, helps to reduce queues and waiting times in the c-store. It’s a win-win!

These solutions help keep sites moving, which directly impacts the customer experience and in turn, loyalty. When wait times are shorter, transactions are smoother, and service feels efficient, consumers are more likely to return – 53% of consumers will go out of their way to visit a specific fuel site because they favour its c-store. Operational consistency isn’t just good for throughput, it’s what builds repeat business.

Delivering Consistency Across the Forecourt

Loyalty doesn’t come from a single promotion or an app download. It comes from consistency: a dispenser that works, payment that’s seamless, signage that makes sense, a self-checkout that doesn’t stall, an offer that arrives just when it’s relevant. These are all small touchpoints, but together they create a “standard” consumers notice and choose to return to.

DFS helps enable that standard across the entire fuel site. Whether it’s through Prizma’s centralised control, the flexibility of the DFS Self-Checkout, or the ease of the DFS Order Kiosk, every interaction is designed to strengthen the customer experience and support retail technology loyalty in EMEA.

Fuel retailers don’t need short-term incentives to build customer loyalty. Consistent service, connected systems, and seamless transactions are what drive long-term engagement, strengthening fuel customer loyalty.

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Maxol hosted its 2024 winners’ lunch and Excellence Awards at The Merrion Hotel in Dublin on Wednesday, May 21, recognising seven of its standout service stations with a presentation and celebratory luncheon.

The annual Awards promote excellence in station and store standards, customer experience, and community engagement – and standards are stringently assessed every year before Maxol rewards both its company-owned and independent dealer-owned service stations.

Winners are selected following a combination of audits by regional managers and the team from head office, mystery shopper visits, and reviews of each store’s local community engagement, including fundraising activities for Maxol’s nominated charity, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

County Cork dominated the company-owned categories this year as Maxol Clonakilty received the coveted Store of the Year award and was recognised for Excellence in Customer Experience. Maxol Ballinrea was awarded for its Excellence in Community Engagement. Elsewhere, Maxol Riverside in Navan, County Meath was awarded for Excellence in Standards.

The independent dealer network winners were Garvey’s Newcastlewest in County Limerick for Store of the Year; McGonigle’s in Muff, Donegal for Excellence in Standards; Moloney’s, in Abbeyfeale, Limerick for Excellence in Customer Experience; and Eiver’s in Kilkenny for Excellence in Community Engagement.

Brian Donaldson, CEO of The Maxol Group, said: “At Maxol, we pride ourselves at being at the heart of our communities and as Ireland’s leading family-owned forecourt retailer, providing a best-in-class experience is of the utmost importance. The 2024 Excellence winners exemplify this and set the bar high when it comes to excellence in standards, customer experience and community engagement. On the behalf of everyone at Maxol, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all the award winners and their store teams, who work hard to ensure our customers have a great experience at Maxol service stations nationwide.

WINNERS

Company-owned winners:

Store of the Year – Maxol Clonakilty, Cork, operated by Licensee Shane Cantillon

Excellence in Standards – Maxol, Riverside, Navan, operated by Licensee Paul Sweeney

Excellence in Customer Experience – Maxol Clonakilty, Cork, operated by Licensee Shane Cantillon

Excellence in Community Engagement – Maxol Clonakilty, Cork, operated by Licensee Shane Cantillon

Independent Dealer winners:

Store of the Year – Garvey’s Newcastlewest, Limerick, operated by Jim Garvey

Excellence in Standards – McGonigle’s, Muff, Donegal, operated by Joe & Marie McGonigle

Excellence in Customer Experience – Moloney’s, Abbeyfeale, Limerick, operated by Dan Moloney

Excellence in Community Engagement – Eivers Kilkenny, operated by John Eivers

Clonakilty CX & Store of the year images –  CEO of The Maxol Group Brian Donaldson, Shane Cantillon (Licensee), Sean Walsh (Store Manager) and Barry Quigley – Head of Retail Operations Maxol

Ballinrea –  CEO of The Maxol Group Brian Donaldson, Shane Cantillon (Licensee), Eurika Reiponaite (Store Manager) and Barry Quigley – Head of Retail Operations Maxol

Moloneys Abbeyfeale –  CEO of The Maxol Group Brian Donaldson, Independent Dealers Dan Moloney, Billy O’Connor and David Martin Head of Business Development Maxol

Eivers Kilkenny –  CEO of The Maxol Group Brian Donaldson, Independent Dealer John Eivers, Store Manager Linda Maher and David Martin Head of Business Development Maxol

Garveys – CEO of The Maxol Group Brian Donaldson, Independent Dealer Jim Garvey and David Martin Head of Business Development Maxol

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A look back at the growth and milestones of the Group since it was founded in 1998, highlighted how Gala Retail’s focus on ‘local’ and ‘community’ values, combined with ongoing innovation continues to deliver success for the Group and its 200+ retailers throughout Ireland. Commenting on Gala’s 25^th year, CEO of Gala Retail, Gary Desmond, comments:

“It is incredible to be celebrating the successes of the Gala Group in its 25^th year in business. Gala was created by a Group of Irish wholesalers, who collectively had the vision to launch an Irish convenience group that put ‘community retailing’ front and centre for shoppers. To look back at the Group’s achievements over the years reinforces the success that this vision has cultivated, and how the Group has grown in an extremely competitive sector.

“25 years on and our ‘local’ and ‘community’ values are still central for the Gala Group today. Our ‘Gala Home or Away’ marketing campaign for our 25^th year has already thanked thousands of shoppers for their custom with holidays and consumer incentives, and we are soon to launch our ‘Gala Gifts For All’ activation, which will deliver winners for every Gala store.”

Hosted by sports broadcaster and chat show host Jacqui Hurley, the 2024 Gala Excellence Awards celebrated Gala stores from all corners of Ireland, recognising those that excel in quality in retailing throughout the Gala Group.

“This year, we saw more retailers than ever before being awarded a Gala Retail Excellence Award,” comments Gary Desmond following the awards. “It’s a true testament to the dedication and commitment that our retailers bring to their communities. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, it’s an especially poignant moment to recognise the outstanding efforts of our Gala stores across the country, who have gone above and beyond in delivering quality and service to their customers.”

Bringing its 25th-anniversary celebrations to a close, a special Gala event, celebrated in style on the Cote d’Azur, brought together Gala Retailers, Wholesalers and Suppliers. The event was compered by comedian, Barry Murphy with Irish rugby legend, Ronan O’Gara as the guest of honour. During the celebration, Gala Retail recognised its category award winners, honouring achievements from customer service to community initiatives.

Among the standout winners were Nicholson’s Gala in Keel, Achill, which was named Brand Champion, and Tayto Snacks, which took home the coveted title of Supplier of the Year. These awards reflect the importance Gala places on both local partnerships and national expertise, ensuring that the Gala brand continues to deliver exceptional value to its customers.

The awards also serve as a reminder of Gala Retail’s commitment to constant improvement, with winners selected through a comprehensive and independent assessment process. Stores deemed ‘outstanding’ were celebrated for their ability to exceed customer expectations and uphold the highest standards in convenience retail.

Taking home the top awards were:

• Gala Fresh Food Award, sponsored by Tirlán: Mulrooney’s Gala, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary
• Gala Bakers Corner Award, sponsored O’Brien Ingredients: Bracken’s Gala, Portlaoise
• Gala Chilled Award, sponsored by Arytza: Scollan’s Gala, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim
• Gala Customer Service Award, sponsored by Britvic: O’Shea’s Gala, Blennerville, Co Kerry
• Gala Distill Off Licence Award, sponsored by Comans: Hanlon’s Gala, Longford
• Gala Social Media Award, sponsored by Tayto Snacks: Kane’s Gala, Carlow
• Gala Marketing Award, sponsored by JTI Ireland: Hennessey’s Gala, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford
• Coffee Junction Award, sponsored by Matthew Algie: McGuire’s Gala, Rooskey, Co. Leitrim
• Community Initiative Award, sponsored by BAT Ireland: Camier’s Gala, Ballydehob, Co. Cork
• Special Merit award, sponsored by Coca-Cola Hellenic: NHG Group, Limerick, Cork, Clare
• Brand Champion Award, sponsored by Mondelez: Nicholson’s Gala, Keel, Achill, Co. Mayo
• Supplier of the Year was awarded to Tayto Snacks who celebrated 70 years in business in 2024.

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The first multi-feed reverse vending solution in Ireland is now available at Kelly’s Spar Newcastle

Global reverse vending leader TOMRA Collection has released in Ireland TOMRA R1, a multi-feed reverse vending machine (RVM) that enables recyclers in Ireland’s deposit return system (DRS) to pour over 100 empty beverage containers into the machine in one go – rather than inserting them one by one. It is the first multi-feed RVM available in the Irish market since the start of DRS, on the 1st of February this year.

The TOMRA R1 offers an efficient, more user-friendly and convenient recycling experience. This can attract shoppers to the store and increase the volume of containers returned, driving increased loyalty and revenue for retailers.

Proven great recycling results in more store visits and spending

The TOMRA R1 has been a hit since its launch globally. Now, more than 600 machines are in operation globally, in markets like Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and United States.

The desire for a fast-recycling experience was confirmed in a consumer study conducted by TOMRA in active DRS. 48% of respondents say they would like to use multi-feed reverse vending machines, and were interested in returning containers in bulk, rather than inserting them one by one.

“With the installation of Ireland’s first multi-feed unit, we’re making recycling more efficient and accessible for consumers across the country. This innovation enables faster, high-capacity returns, allowing more people to recycle easily and helping Ireland move closer to our sustainability goals. It’s an exciting step forward for TOMRA and for Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme.” – says Peter Whelan, Managing Director, TOMRA Collection Ireland.

On behalf of Kelly’s Spar Newcastle, Brian Kelly, store owner says:

“We are delighted to introduce Ireland’s first multi-feed RVM, it’s an exciting milestone for all of us here in Kelly’s SPAR Newcastle. The TOMRA R1 will save our customers time as they can now recycle over 100 containers in seconds – while creating a more seamless and enjoyable recycling experience. We are all proud to lead the way in Ireland towards a circular economy and strengthening our commitment to sustainability at our store and community”.

Also commenting on the launch Ciarán Foley, CEO of Re-turn, said:

“We’d like to thank all those in the retail sector and the Scheme approved RVM suppliers for all the work they have done to help to make this important circular economy initiative such a success to date. We would also like to commend the Irish public on how they have embraced Deposit Return and look forward to their continued support.”

How does the TOMRA R1 work?

Recyclers simply open the hatch and pour their empty cans and plastic bottles into the machine and close the lid to begin the counting and sorting process. They then collect their voucher and start shopping. Ineligible containers are returned to the user via the reject chute.

With an accessible product design, the TOMRA R1 is easy to clean and maintain. TOMRA R1 is also the first RVM with an operator interface screen located inside the machine, so store personnel have all the information they need at their fingertips.

For recyclers, TOMRA R1 provides a mess-free recycling experience as there is no need to handle each bottle – consumers can do their part for the planet without getting their hands sticky. TOMRA R1 is also intuitive to use, reduces queues, and offers efficient and fast recycling. When returning over 100 beverage containers, recycling at TOMRA R1 is up to five times faster than using a single-feed solution, since containers do not need to be inserted one by one​. ​

The machine can be found at Kelly’s Spar Newcastle, located at Newcastle Service Station, Main St. Ballynakelly, Newcastle, Co. Dublin.

Features at a glance

Bringing together the premium products from different categories in TOMRA’s reverse vending portfolio, TOMRA R1 can pair with the T9 reverse vending machine to add handling of glass containers and connect to TOMRA’s MultiPac Air high-speed, high-capacity storage cabinets.

TOMRA R1 is powered by TOMRA Flow Technology for industry-leading recognition and system integrity​, and compatible with TOMRA Collection’s full portfolio of Digital products, which add value for both recyclers and retailers.

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