asked the Minister for Energy if he has any plans for the provision of an oil refinery at Bantry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
201.
Written Answers. - Oil Refinery Proposals.
200.
asked the Minister for Energy whether he has any proposals to site an oil refinery at Whiddy Island, County Cork; and the up-to'date situation in regard to any such proposal.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
The Government have at present no plans for provision of an oil refinery at Bantry.
As I have previously indicated, it would clearly be in our long-term interests to secure expansion of our refining capacity. I am exploring means by which this objective could be achieved and one particular possibility is under active consideration. It is, however, not possible at this stage to indicate what ultimate decisions are likely to be reached in this matter.