Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1993

Vol. 435 No. 3

Written Answers. - Whitegate Oil Refinery Upgrading.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

101 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications when a decision will be made on the proposals by the Irish National Petroleum Corporation for the upgrading and development of the Whitegate Oil Refinery, County Cork; if the Government has received a bid from a US oil company, Coastal Corporation, to purchase shares in the refinery; if so, his response to the bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

A decision on the Irish National Cor-poration's plan for upgrading of the Whitegate refinery will be made when I have fully examined all of the options for commercialisation of operations at the refinery. A joint venture proposal from another company for a major upgrade of the refinery is currently being considered. For reasons of commercial confidentiality, further details of these proposals cannot be released at this stage.