The closure of the only petrol station on Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran islands means that islanders who own petrol cars have been left stranded.
While there is no shortage of home heating fuel or diesel on the island, the stringent health and safety regulations governing the storage of petrol means petrol cannot be brought on to Inis Mór.
Manager of the local co-op, Comhar Cumann Forbartha Arann, Cathy Ní Ghoill said they made a case to have the use of green agricultural diesel in cars legalised to reduce costs for drivers.
"We feel there is a case there for the burning of green diesel to be made legal for the island because we are constrained by the health and safety regulations in transporting petrol. The decision is for the Minister of Finance to make, but we feel this is an exceptional case."
The owner of the island's petrol station, Enda Mullen, has closed the station down because he could not make a living on Inis Mór where there is a population of only 800. There are about 180 petrol cars on the island and 140 diesel cars.
While some petrol car owners on the island are changing their cars for diesel vehicles, Ms Ní Ghoill pointed out that many people could not afford to do this as they owned old cars which were worthless as trade-ins.
A spokesperson for the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs said discussions were ongoing between the department and the service provider, Lasta Mara, who were in turn in discussions with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources in relation to bringing in small amounts of petrol for use in boats, lawnmowers etc.
