Vol. 462 No. 5
30 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the current position regarding the installation of a single point mooring facility at Whiddy Island oil depot, County Cork; the plans, if any, he has for the future use of this depot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4985/96]
Last year, I instructed the Irish National Petroleum Corporation to restore the oil terminal at Whiddy Island, County Cork, to operational status by installing one single point mooring for the discharge and loading of crude oil. It is expected that work on the project will be completed by the end of this month, weather permitting, and that, subject to the agreement of the appropriate regulatory authorities, the first discharge of crude oil using the facility will take place in late April or early May.
The new facility will provide ready access to strategic oil stocks already stored at the terminal in the event of a supply disruption, and will enable the stocks there to be augmented.
The Irish National Petroleum Corporation are continuing to seek out possible third party investment in the terminal. In this regard, the single point mooring will facilitate additional storage and oil trading activities at Whiddy by parties on a commercial basis.
