Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 3

Written Answers. - Whitegate (Cork) Refinery.

Máirín Quill

Question:

26 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the present position regarding the operation of the mandatory regime at Whitegate Oil Refinery, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6501/95]

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

In response to the conclusions of the Culliton and Moriarty Reports, it has been accepted that the mandatory off-take of petroleum products from the Whitegate refinery will terminate by the end of 1996. Until then, importers of gasoline, gasoil, propane and butane will continue to be required to purchase up to 35 per cent of their requirements from the refinery.

In order to enable the refinery to trade on a fully competitive basis, the Irish National Petroleum Corporation Limited is implementing a three-year programme of investment which will continue up to 1996. The results of this programme, allied to a number of marketing initiatives, is expected by the company to enable the refinery to operate on a commercial basis at open market prices when the mandatory regime ends.