Whitegate is ‘crucially important’ for oil security

The decision by a Canadian firm to buy Ireland’s only refinery at Whitegate in Cork Harbour ensures security of supply and contributes to the country’s economic growth, Environment Minister Denis Naughten has said.

Speaking at the official launch of the Irish division of Irving Oil yesterday, Mr Naughten stressed the Whitegate facility was “crucially important for Ireland”.

“It is crucially important from the point of view this is the only oil refinery on the island of Ireland. It is much easier to access crude oil than processed oils — petrol and diesel.