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.