Denis Naughten won’t meet Whitegate bidders

The newly appointed Energy Minister Denis Naughten has no intention of meeting companies interested in buying the country’s only oil refinery.

The owners of the refinery in Whitegate Co Cork, Phillips 66, have confirmed that there is significant interest in the facility with negotiations believed to be at an advanced stage.

The future of the refinery and its 290 or so full-time and contract staff remains up in the air with Phillips 66’s obligation to operate the refinery expiring in July 2016.