Even a temporary exemption on the local heating oil tax would require state legislative approval, city officials said.

Congress intended to give the industry a temporary three-year exemption.

In November, the government announced that a temporary exemption from stamp duty would come to an end on 24 March 2012.

"We are committed to completing the phase-out, but in a way that allows the temporary continued exemptions for critical uses."

The subsidies will amount to approximately £180 per car, and will be implemented by temporary exemption from automobile tax.

The next year, the industry won a temporary exemption for a single season.

However, upon accession, Members may introduce temporary exemptions to this rule.

Citigroup has only a temporary exemption allowing it to own Travelers Insurance, and needs a change in the law.

Unfortunately, Member States can still apply temporary exemptions, yet this result does mean we are safely on the right road.

The European Commission's suggestion is to allow a temporary exemption, making the limit not 48 but 54 hours, for a period of seven years.