Securing Whitegate Refinery's future ‘highly desirable’ for Ireland's energy security and economic prospects

The Government has confirmed it considers the continued operation of the Whitegate Refinery as central to the country’s energy security and economic prospects.

The refinery’s parent company, Phillips 66, confirmed to the Irish Examiner this week that it was again looking for a buyer for the plant, having failed to drum up interest when it pulled the plug on the sales process more than 18 months ago.

A spokesperson for the Department of Communications, Energy, and Natural Resources said it was recently made aware by Phillips 66 that it was planning to put the refinery on the market again.