asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if any action has been taken by his Department against Northern Ireland oil companies operating in County Donegal who have failed to comply with the condition of taking 35 per cent of their oil supply from Whitegate.
Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Oil Companies.
630.
The obligation to take oil supplies from Whitegate rests on all oil importers but it is particularly difficult to identify all importers and to apply the obligations where the individual level of import is relatively small. Following the failure of approaches in writing to several parties allegedly engaging in such trade, I arranged for an officer of my Department to visit them recently. As soon as these investigations are completed, I hope to be in a position to apply the volume obligations on these importers.
At the same time I am considering what steps will enable me to receive, more urgently and automatically, detailed information on all imports of oil products into the State.