Vol. 472 No. 5
28 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the amount spent to date on the restoration of the oil terminal at Whiddy Island, County Cork, including the installation of one single point mooring; and if he will give details of shipping movements in each month since the mooring became operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23486/96]
On 24 March 1995 my predecessor instructed the INPC to proceed with the restoration of the Whiddy Island Oil Terminal by the installation of a single point mooring. Capital works under this project have been completed and I am informed by the INPC that the cost amounted to £17.8 million. Total costs in returning the terminal to full operational capacity are estimated at £20.2 million which includes financing costs and items which have not as yet been incurred.
While the SPM has been installed, it is not yet operational as consent for its use is awaited from the various regulatory authorities. Consequently there have been no shipping movements.
INPC has informed me that it expects the various consents to be forthcoming shortly and it is anticipated that the SPM will be utilised for the first time in late February-early March of 1997.
