asked the Minister for Energy the terms of reference and the membership of the task force to examine the upgrading of Whitegate-Whiddy Oil Refineries, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Whitegate Oil Refinery.
5.
I would refer Deputies to my press announcement of both the membership and the terms of reference of the task force which had their inaugural meeting yesterday. I propose to circulate a copy of that announcement with the Official Report.
Members of Task Force Appointed to Upgrade Whitegate and Whiddy.
Under the chairmanship of Mr. Michael Smith, TD, Minister for Energy, the following will comprise the above Task Force:
Mr. Seán O'Muiri, Assistant Secretary, Department of Energy.
Dr. Tom McManus, Chief Technical Advisor, Department of Energy.
Mr. Phelim Molloy, Assistant Secretary, Department of Finance.
Mr. Fergus Cahill, Production Manager, INPC.
Mr. Nessan O'Shea, Technical Manager, Irish Refining Company.
Prof. Charles Dillon; Chairman, ESB
Dr. Michael Walsh, Director of Corporate Finance, National City Brokers.
Mr. Matt Benville, Principal Officer, Department of Energy.
Whitegate-Whiddy Oil Facilities
Terms of Reference: Task Force.
(a) To identify all realistic investment options for the refinery and oil storage installations at Whitegate and Whiddy with particular reference to the possibility of a partner arrangement for such investment with an oil producer country;
(b) To complete the evaluation by the end of July which will include an examination of the technical, economic and financial aspects of the investment options identified and
(c) To make recommendations.
I tabled this question before the Minister circulated his reply. There is certainly an impressive line-up on the task force and I wish them success. The terms of reference refer to the possibility of a partner arrangement for the upgrading of Whitegate with an oil producing country. Will the Minister clarify the confusion regarding the role of different countries, particularly Nigeria and Russia, in relation to the question of a partner arrangement?
I am not aware of any confusion in that matter.
The Minister will have read in the newspapers that the promoters of the Nigerian deal expressed dismay that dealings with them had been terminated. That announcement by the Taoiseach certainly caused confusion and I should like the Minister to clarify the position.
I did not regard that episode as creating confusion nor do I want to make light of the Deputy's problems in this regard. When the Taoiseach dealt with this matter in the Dáil he indicated that no negotiations had taken place and we have continually emphasised the fact that that was the position. We said that there had been discussions with a number of interested parties with a view to developing a satisfactory linkage with an oil producer in the context of the development of a refinery for the future. That position still obtains.
In relation to finding a partner, has the Minister issued provisos regarding the State's controlling interest in the refinery? Has he given any indication as to how in future a Government wishing to control or limit petrol prices here will deal with a joint venture refinery?
These are all matters for consideration by the task force but it is no harm to tell the House that I have laid down very strict conditions in the context of eliciting a suitable partner. This has presented some problems for a number of interested countries but it is important to lay down the ground rules very firmly in the beginning. We have done that and, in spite of the rather stringent measures, which I hope will be in place ultimately, we have been able to get a reasonably satisfactory response up to now. These deliberations will be ongoing for some time.
Will they be published as Government policy?
Yes.
The Minister has answered some of the points I wanted to raise, but I should like to know if the terms of reference of the task force include an evaluation of the various proposals being put forward in relation to joint ventures with regard to the Whiddy refinery?
Yes.