Whitegate’s new owners vow to run facility as a refinery and keep jobs

The new owners of the country’s only oil refinery, Whitegate, Co Cork, have confirmed it is their “full intention” to run the facility as an operating refinery over the long-term and maintain its entire workforce of close to 300 employees.

Canadian company Irving Oil said it was making a long-term investment and offered a commitment to “both the people and the secure energy supply” that the refinery provides.

Irving Oil chief operating officer Mark Sherman said the company was impressed with the staff and facilities in Whitegate and had no intention of turning the refinery into a storage terminal, despite fears during the sales process that any new owners could be tempted to do so.