asked the Minister for Energy the proportion of the national strategic oil stocks held abroad.

16.

asked the Minister for Energy if he will make a statement of the up-to-date position of oil reserves in this country dealing in particular with those held (a) at Whiddy Island and (b) abroad.

With the permission of the Ceann Chomhairle, I propose to take Question Nos. 15 and 16 together.

This country's total oil reserves calculated by reference to the relevant formulae laid down by the EEC — Directives 68/414 and 72/425 respectively — amounted to about 1,445,000 tonnes at 31 October 1980. Particulars of the reserves as at 30 November 1980 are not yet available.

Included in the total of 1,445,000 tonnes were

(a) about 145,000 tonnes of oil, mainly crude, stored at Whiddy Island under a long-standing agreement with the company which owns the terminal there.

(b) About 337,000 tonnes of crude oil and product stored, by arrangement with the governments concerned, in other EEC countries on behalf of some Irish oil companies.

The balance is held in this country in crude and product form by the oil companies and large comsumers. The proportions of our oil stocks held abroad will vary from time to time but is normally of the order of 20 per cent.

The total stocks which, following the recent disruption in the oil industry, are the lowest for some time — though the position in this regard is being rectified — represent approximately 93 days, consumption at 1979 levels.

Is the Minister satisfied with the position of the availability of the stocks held abroad in the event of an emergency? Is he satisfied as to the accessibility of those stocks?

I am satisfied that all the arrangements that can be made in respect of them have been made and, as I have indicated, where they are held abroad they are held on foot of government-to-government arrangement. Nevertheless, I have said publicly that I would be much happier if a higher proportion of our stocks was held at home under our own jurisdiction and I am endeavouring to make arrangements which will bring that about.

Is the Minister satisfied with the situation of the stocks held in Whiddy now — that would be approximately 10 per cent of our strategic oil reserves — in view of the present situation that obtains in Whiddy and the difficulty of access to that oil?

I am aware of the difficulty of access but it would not be insuperable in an emergency situation and I am happy that the stocks are being held there within our jurisdiction.

17.