Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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It is an important question, as it relates to the facility at Whitegate and Ireland's domestic needs as an island economy. There has been retrenchment in the refinery sector across Europe in recent times and a dramatic reversal in the past two or three years in stocks retained in the jurisdiction. We are required to maintain a 90 day supply of certain stocks in case of destruction of supply.

Up to now that was only to a minor extent accommodated in our jurisdiction. A system of ticket stocks applied to source the requisite 90 days outside of the country. We have significantly reversed that now and more than 70% of our stocks are in the jurisdiction. That is a factor in this case as well.

Phillips 66, which operates Whitegate and is required by licence to meet certain commitments up to 2016 with the Government, has indicated that the facility may be for sale. During the period that it was in the shop window it did not sell. Whether that means the parent company has changed its mind or whatever, things are proceeding as they were and we are maintaining close contact with the company with regard to the future. In any event, we will be confronted with the decision in 2016 and we are trying to line it up well in advance of what happens in that area.