Toddy O'Sullivan
Question:49 Mr. T. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Energy if he proposes to eliminate the mandatory off-take from Whitegate Oil Refinery, County Cork, in 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Whitegate Oil Refinery.
In a reply to a question on this issue on 7 December 1989 I drew attention to the Programme for Government 1989-1993 which states as follows:
The diseconomies of the existing oil refining and supply arrangements must be addressed. The new Government are committed to upgrading the Whitegate Refinery with third party participation so that oil product consumers in Ireland, and notably business consumers, by the eventual removal of obligatory uptake, are not put at any disadvantage relative to overseas competitors.
I went on to point out that efforts are continuing to attract investment interests to the Whitegate Refinery with a view to introducing the technologies which would allow the facility to operate in a free market mode, and thus enable the mandatory provision to be discontinued. These efforts are still continuing and the position remains as outlined.