asked the Minister for Industry and Energy if his Department received a submission from the Staff Committee of Whitegate Oil Refinery requesting that the refinery commence operations again as quickly as possible and stating that it is not in the national interest that it be allowed stagnate, that the future wellbeing of 400 dependent families of an expert and dedicated workforce is at issue, and that the last and present Governments are on record as stating that it was unacceptable that Whitegate should be shut; his plans to bring the refinery into operation; and if he has any plans to up-grade and modernise it.

The submission to which the Deputy refers was made by the Whitegat Staff Council to my predecessor at a meeting on 8 May 1981 and my Department have carefully studied the contents thereof. I should add that I have since met with representatives of the Whitegate workforce, including staff council officers, to discuss the refinery situation. I can assure the Deputy that I am very conscious of the employment implications of developments affecting the refinery not only for the refinery workers themselves but also for those involved in ancillary industries and services. The question of the future role of Whitegate is one which is under consideration by the Government. The need for, and economic feasibility of, upgrading and modernising the refinery are issues requiring detailed, expert study. These issues are at present under consideration.