Today’s confirmation of the purchase of Whitegate refinery by Irving Oil has been welcomed by David Stanton, Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Fine Gael TD for Cork East. The announcement follows the signing of a Sales and Purchase Agreement between Phillips66 and Irving Oil on 3 August 2016.

“This is an historic day for Whitegate Refinery. The refinery is our sole oil refinery processing up to 75,000 barrels of crude oil per day and producing transportation and heating fuels such as gasoline, diesel and kerosene. The confirmation of the purchase of Whitegate refinery from Phillips66 by Irving Oil is very welcome as it ensures security of our energy supply which is important to our economic growth and national energy policy”, noted Minister Stanton.

“In addition to the national importance, the continued operation of Whitegate refinery is extremely important to my constituency of Cork East. Irving Oil have stated that they were very impressed with the strong operational performance of the refinery and its positive working environment and are fully committed to continuing full operation of the facility and to maintain its existing 160 employees and the many contract personnel.

“Irving Oil is a privately-owned Canadian energy company, which operates Canada’s largest refinery in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, as well as wholesale distribution and retail businesses. The purchase of Whitegate refinery will allow the company to expand its operations across the Atlantic and gain valuable customers in Ireland.

“The Government’s position on the Whitegate refinery has always been that the continued operation of the refinery on a commercial basis is highly desirable from an energy security and economic perspective. In this regard, I am very pleased with the positive outcome to the sales process. It is extremely welcome news for the East Cork area and for our country.

“I would like to wish the new owners and everyone working at the Refinery every success for the future”, concluded Minister Stanton.