Department in talks with Philips 66 over refinery plans

The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is engaging with Philips 66 following its announcement that it may sell the country’s only oil refinery at Whitegate in East Cork.

The refinery supplies about 30% of Ireland’s oil needs and there are major concerns about security of supply if the refinery were to be sold.

A spokesperson for the department said that the refinery has been in private hands since 2001 and that the operation was a matter for the owners.