andMr. Kelly asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the present position of plans for the establishment of a new oil refinery mentioned by him in a recent speech.

Present indications are that, given our existing refining capacity, it will at best be possible by 1985 to supply just over 20 per cent of the country's total demand for refined oil products. Against this background, I consider it highly desirable to give serious consideration to the question of possible additional refining capacity. Accordingly, as a first step, I have asked the IDA to carry out a pre-feasibility study for a new oil refinery project. This study will examine the type of refinery that would be best suited to meet future product demand in this country and it will also analyse the capital and operating costs associated with such a refinery.

The Minister said in her reply that the Minister had instructed the IDA to examine the feasibility of a new oil refinery project, is that correct?

Yes.

Do the instructions to the IDA not include the examination of the extension of the existing refinery at Whitegate in Cork?

All that will be taken into account in the IDA study.

Is that definite, because the wording of the Minister's speech last month and that of the reply given today imply that it has nothing to do with the existing refinery; that it is a completely new project?

When we talk about refining I am sure we are talking about existing facilities together with new facilities.

Could I have an assurance from the Minister that if this is not so, the IDA will be instructed as part of their study to examine the possibility of extending the existing refinery in Cork so that it will not be confined to a study just of new projects?

I will bring it to the attention of the IDA.

The Minister will ensure that the extension of the existing refinery in Cork will be part of the study?

Yes, I will bring it to the attention of the IDA.

The next question.

Can the Minister tell the House what exactly is being investigated? Is it the size of the refinery that would be needed in the years ahead? Surely everybody knows all about refining here. There is no investigation to be made other than into the size of the grant that might be made available to people interested in establishing an oil refinery here.

The Deputy is opening up a much wider debate. The IDA have been instructed to carry out a study, and the Minister hopes that the results of that study, which will cover all aspects of the refinery industry here, will be available to the Minister by the end of December at least.

Question No. 26.

Sorry, could I ask——

We have had enough discussion on this. No. 26 please.