Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1119. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has engaged with the Irish oil industry and appropriate public bodies to determine any policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining; the policy options available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21913/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Ireland has a single refinery at Whitegate, Cork that is owned and operated by Phillips 66. My Department is in regular contact with the company and I have met with Irish and US executives of Phillips 66 as well as with union representatives. I visited the refinery in November 2014. My Department has been engaging with Phillips 66 on the future of refining in Ireland. In early 2014, both the Department and Phillips 66 met with other relevant Government Departments and public bodies to discuss the matter. Later in 2014, my officials met with the Irish Petroleum Industry Association (IPIA), of which Philips 66 is a member. The industry views on the matter are varied and companies indicated a preference to discuss it further without other members present. My officials subsequently spoke with five of the companies on an individual basis.

I understand that there are a number of options for the refinery under consideration by the company. I intend to engage with my Ministerial colleagues in the near future on these and other policy options that might facilitate the commercial future of refining in Ireland.