Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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1557. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the contact between his Department and the operators of the refinery (details supplied) in County Cork; the steps being taken to secure the continued operation of the refinery post-2016; the engagement held with any potential purchasers of the refinery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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My Department is in regular contact with Phillips 66, the company operating the refinery at Whitegate 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. Officials from my Department have met with union representatives in the last week. In addition Whitegate management have attended most of the public consultation events hosted by my Department on the new energy policy framework that is currently being developed.

In 2013 Phillips 66 put the refinery and marketing business up for sale on the market and withdrew it from that process in 2014. A refinery sale would be a commercial matter between Phillips 66 and a potential purchaser.

The Government views the continued operation of the Whitegate refinery on a commercial basis as highly desirable from an energy security and economic perspective. Security of supply remains a fundamental tenet of our energy policy. I am in contact with my Ministerial colleagues to discuss the importance of continued operations at the facility. My understanding from Whitegate management is that they have a number of potential development options for the refinery under consideration.