Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 18 April 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action

Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Energy (Windfall Gains in the Energy Sector) Bill 2023

Photo of Lynn BoylanLynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I get that 100%. How much scrutiny was given to the threat that this would end the oil refinery in Cork? Was it verified or backed up, other than what we heard from the oil refinery? I am not accusing the Department of lobbying or capture, but such organisations definitely had an influence on the design of the scheme. The oil refinery said it would shut down if we go the way we are going to go. Changes were made. Community wind farms have said the Department did not engage and there were no changes made or flexibilities for them. What level of scrutiny was given to the threat expressed by the oil refinery that it would have to cease operation?