At the same time, the high price of oil is fuelling demand for ethanol, which is used as both a substitute for and an additive to petrol.

ECONOMIST: Commodities

The chemical is normally used for industrial purposes in solvents, petrol and shoe polish and is banned in food.

BBC: NEWS | Health | Cancer alert over pasta sauces

The day after the budget the government had to reduce increases in the price of petrol and urea (used for making fertiliser), because of growing oposition within its ranks.

ECONOMIST: India

This was largely used to pay for a cut in expected revenue from petrol and diesel prices, as he pulled back on forecourt fuel tax levels.

BBC: Oil tax hike could weaken credibility on oil and gas

Meanwhile, republicans have been blamed for a petrol bomb attack on a hall used jointly by the Orange Order and Church of Ireland at Aghalee in County Antrim.

BBC: News Online