asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what steps have been taken for the oil bunkering of ships of the Irish naval service at its headquarters, Cobh harbour.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Bunkering of Ships at Cobh.
asked the Minister for Defence if any proposals are being considered for the further extension of the oil wharves at Haulbowline so that they can be used by deep draught ocean going tankers.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state what steps, if any, are being taken to provide for the use of the oil bunkering facilities at Cobh harbour.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 19 and 20 together.
A new jetty is at present being constructed adjacent to the oil installations at Haulbowline and when this has been completed, which I expect will be in September next, it is intended to invite applications for a lease of the installations to enable an oil-bunkering business to be undertaken commercially at Haulbowline. Until such time as a lease has been arranged it is proposed that the installations will be used by my Department for bunkering the naval service corvettes.
The question of extending the jetty to enable it to be used by deep-draught ocean-going tankers is under consideration and a decision will be taken in the matter as soon as possible.