Vol. 451 No. 3
74 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the present position regarding the operation of Whiddy Island Oil Depot, County Cork; the future plans, if any, he has for the Whiddy Island Depot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6556/95]
79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the progress, if any, that has been made with exploring opportunities for resuming commercial activities at Whiddy Oil Terminal, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6607/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 79 together.
The Whiddy Island oil terminal has been inoperative since the tragic events surrounding the Betelgeuse in 1979. Since 1986, when the terminal came into State ownership, it has been managed, on a care and maintenance basis, by the Irish National Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Since 1990, part of Ireland's strategic oil reserves have been stored at Whiddy. The Government recently decided that facilities to provide continuous access to those oil stocks should be installed. This will involve the installation of a single point mooring (SPM) which is seen as the most cost-effective way of restoring proper loading and discharging facilities.
The Government is committed to exploring opportunities for the resumption of commercial activities at the terminal by a third party. The installation of the SPM will facilitate such a use and discussions have taken place with interested parties. It would not be appropriate to give details of these discussions for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
