asked the Minister for Energy if he has decided that there should be no future exclusive options in seeking new ventures for Whitegate and Whiddy oil refineries, County Cork.
Written Answers. - Whitegate and Whiddy Oil Refineries.
38.
There was not at any time, except in one respect as explained hereafter, any exclusive option in regard to persons seeking to establish ventures for the facilities at Whitegate and Whiddy. It is not foreseen that there would be any such options in the future, but this will depend on the business circumstances in which we find ourselves.
During negotiations with a group representing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation earlier this year, the NNPC asked that for a short period while their studies were being finalised and bearing in mind the cost to them of these studies, no discussion should take place with other parties, and this was agreed. Such arrangements are not uncommon in the commercial world.