asked the Minister for Energy the plans he has for the restoration of the oil terminal at Bantry, County Cork, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Restoration of Bantry Oil Terminal.
521.
I am pleased to be able to say that I announced plans for the restoration of the Whiddy Island oil terminal on 11 December 1984 and that copies of my statement are available in the Library of the Houses. The main features of the restoration plan are that the jetty will be restored at an early date to be capable of handling tankers from 30,000 up to 275,000 tonnes at an estimated project cost of $60 million. In addition the terminal will be upgraded to enable the handling of oil products as well as crude oil. The question of placing the terminal in an interim operation in tandem with progress on the reconstruction will be examined.
There are other attractive features in the negotiated package which are detailed in the announcement and which encompass strategic storage, financial payments to the State and a commitment to use Irish goods and labour in the project where feasible.