Statoil Ireland owner Topaz Energy and a controversial filling station operator at Usher's Quay in Dublin, believed to be the most expensive supplier in the State, have parted company.

Well known for charging considerably in excess of the going market rate, the filling station currently charges €1.79 per litre of unleaded petrol and diesel. Other stations in Dublin charge less than €1.20 per litre.

"For some time, we have expressed our dissatisfaction with this station's exorbitant pricing policy and as such, we have decided not to renew our contractual arrangement with the owner of the site once the existing supply agreement expired," said Topaz retail director Frank Gleeson.

The filling station owner, Hugh Farrington, said that it was his own choice not to renew the contract. "We chose not to exercise an extension to the current supply agreement with them."

Asked about Mr Gleeson's criticism of his pricing policy, Mr Farrington said: "Our prices are clearly displayed. We review on a regular basis our prices."

The station will trade under a new brand - One Oil - from later this week, Mr Farrington said. He declined to identify his supplier.

Topaz first publicly indicated dissatisfaction with the pricing policy at the station last January when its chief executive, Danny Murray, said in an interview with The Irish Times that he would not buy fuel at the Usher's Island outlet. It was open to the group to consider its relationship with the owner at the end of their contract, he said then.

"We think it's too high. I wouldn't buy petrol there. We don't own that station. It's one of the dealers, so it's an independent guy," Mr Murray said.

"We don't agree with somebody charging that price. It's too much."