andMr. Brosnan asked the Minister for Transport and Power the storage capacity for crude oil at Whitegate oil refinery.

(Cavan): The total storage capacity for crude oil at Whitegate oil refinery is 167,000 tonnes.

Is the Minister satisfied that this complies with the EEC regulations in view of the total capacity of this oil refinery? The total refining capacity is 2½ million tonnes for 80 days and the figure given by the Minister falls far short of that.

(Cavan): The total storage capacity of all oils is 356,000 tonnes.

Is the Minister aware that the total storage capacity for 80 days, based on their total refining capacity, should be between 500,000 and 600,000 tonnes?

(Cavan): I am not so aware. The Deputy asked a straight question and I have given him the answer that the total capacity of crude oil is 167,000 tonnes and for all oil is 356,000 tonnes.

Would the Minister not agree that, in order to comply with the EEC regulations order he made, Whitegate should have a total storage capacity of over 500,000 tonnes?

(Cavan): There is no obligation on the Irish Refining Company Limited to hold minimum stocks of crude oil or other oils at Whitegate. The responsibility for holding such stocks lies with the oil companies, such as Esso, Shell and so on. All oils importers are now required to carry not less than 80 days stock as from the 1st April, 1977, and I am satisfied that is being done.

9.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state, in view of the reduction in the utilisation of the Whiddy oil terminal, the guarantee that exists that the Gulf Oil Company will maintain one million barrels of crude oil in stock.

(Cavan): I have no doubt that the arrangements agreed with Gulf Oil in 1971 for maintaining a minimum stock level of one million barrels of crude oil at the Whiddy oil terminal will continue to operate satisfactorily.

Can the Minister say if arrangements have been made for the refining of this one million barrels of crude oil, particularly in view of our experience in October, 1973?

(Cavan): The Deputy asked me if I would state that the guarantee that exists that the Gulf Oil Company will maintain one million barrels of crude oil in stock, and my reply was that I have no doubt the arrangements agreed with Gulf Oil in 1971 for maintaining a minimum stock level of one million barrels of crude oil at the Whiddy oil terminal will continue to operate satisfactorily. The Deputy is now getting into another field.

It is eminently fair to ask whether there have been any arrangements made for the refining of this crude oil. It is no use having crude oil stored at Whiddy——

(Cavan): If the Deputy will put down a question on that I will give him the answer or, if he wishes, I will communicate with him.