Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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608. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the steps he is taking to ensure the security of Irish oil and gas supplies and the key role being played by Whitegate oil refinery in the maintenance of energy security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43038/15]

Alex White (Dublin South, Labour)
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Approximately 96% of gas consumed in Ireland is imported, with approximately 45% of our electricity being generated using gas. EirGrid, together with ESB Networks and Gas Networks Ireland, have respective emergency plans in place to deal with any unexpected short-term disruption to gas supplies. The security of Ireland’s gas supplies will be significantly strengthened by the coming onstream of the Corrib Gas field which will reduce our dependency on imported gas in the short to medium term.

Ireland has no domestic oil production and all oil consumed is imported, either in the form of crude oil that is refined at Whitegate or in the form of product. The National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) manages Ireland’s strategic oil reserves. NORA ensures that Ireland meets its EU and International Energy Agency (IEA) obligations to maintain 90 days' oil stocks for use in the event of an oil supply disruption.

Ireland has one refinery in Whitegate, Cork that was privatised as a result of its sale by the State in 2001. The owners of the refinery, Phillips 66, advised my Department in October that they were putting the Whitegate refinery up for sale. A refinery sale would be a commercial matter between Phillips 66 and a potential purchaser. As this process is under way Whitegate will continue to be operated on a business as usual basis.

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.