asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the quantity of fuel oil imported into this country from sources behind the Iron Curtain in the last 12 months for which figures are available; and if such imports are inhibiting expansion at the Whitegate oil refinery.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fuel Oil Imports.
17.
According to figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office, the quantity of residual fuel oil imported from countries of Eastern Europe in the 12 months ended February, 1972, was 81,318,021 gallons— all from the USSR.
If this quantity of oil were not imported from this source it is likely it would have been obtained from some other source outside this country and I am not aware that any absence of expansion by Whitegate Oil Refinery can be related to such imports.
Is this refined oil?
The question relates to fuel oil.
Is it refined, or does it need refining at Whitegate?
I do not think it needs refining at Whitegate.
The Minister does not know?
I do not know. The question does not spell that out and I have not got that information with me.
The question relates to inhibiting expansion at Whitegate Oil Refinery. Does the fuel oil go through Whitegate?
The Deputy can take it that none of that oil is coming through the refinery, as such.
Can anything be done to have even some of this oil refined at Whitegate?
I have been asked if it is refined at Whitegate and I have said that I do not know whether it is or not. It is residual fuel oil. If it comes in refined, then there is no reason why it should be refined.
What is it a residue of and can any arrangements be made whereby oil can be imported needing refining at Whitegate, thereby enabling expansion to take place there?
All efforts are made at all stages——
Obviously the Minister does not know.
I have answered the question asked. If the Deputy wants to ask a separate question, he can do so.
What is residual fuel oil? Of what is it a residue?
I would want notice of that question.
But the Minister used the phrase in his own reply. The Minister does not know the meaning of the words he uses.
The reply dealt with the question asked.
The Minister does not know the meaning of his own reply.
I will not come in here with a dictionary for the Deputy's benefit.
The Minister should at least know what the words he himself uses mean.
I hope that is the case with the Deputy.
It is.