Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 25 Apr 1990

Vol. 397 No. 9

Written Answers. - Whitegate Oil Refinery.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

167 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Energy the present position regarding Whitegate Oil Refinery, County Cork; the amount of money for updating the refinery, as announced by him last year, which has been spent to date; if talks are taking place with other interests regarding the future of the refinery; if so, the names of the parties concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Energy (Mr. Molloy)

As stated in a reply to a number of parliamentary questions on this issue on 28 March 1990, a task force was established in May 1989 by decision of the Government to identify all realistic investment options for the facilities at Whitegate and Whiddy.

With the assistance of international consultants, the task force is currently evaluating the technical, economic and financial aspects of the options which have been identified. This work is nearing completion and I expect to receive the report in the very near future.

In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue appropriate opportunities which might lead to an oil producer or an international oil company participating in the proposed upgrading of the refinery and reactivation of the terminal. Because of their confidential nature, however, I am not in a position to discuss details of individual approaches made by third parties regarding these facilities. Discussions with interested parties are ongoing but no final proposals are under consideration by me as yet.

The question of commitment or expenditure of resources arising out of the State's disposal of shares in Tara Mines will be determined subsequent to receipt and consideration by Government of the report of the task force and the conclusion of ongoing and planned discussions with parties on the upgrading of the facility.