Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for his observation and insights. I remind him I have had occasion to visit the refinery and met management and workers to understand the value of the facility in the greater region where it is located. I have no doubt the Deputy is absolutely right in what he says about the refinery being a good neighbour and an important part of the economy and the fabric of Cork Port and the broader region. This is very well understood by the Government, but the fact remains that it is owned by a private company, and commercial decisions are made by the company in respect of the refinery. Having said that, the Government has always stated, and I state again now, the importance we attach to having a refinery here. This is the single refinery in the island of Ireland and it is of strategic importance.

The report I mentioned in my earlier remarks, published in February 2013, was discussed by the Government at the time. A number of options and suggestions on how the Government might assist were examined during that period, and certainly, as a Minister, I would want to do anything reasonably within my powers to ensure we maintain the single refinery we have, always remembering the fact that it is a commercial operation. The period during which it is required contractually to continue refining expires in July 2016. We certainly want to keep this matter closely under review and maintain good contact with local and US management, whom I have met, staff representatives, workers and trade unions, who have taken a close interest and a very responsible approach to the future of the refinery.

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