Danny Healy-Rae questions the state of Ireland's oil reserves and asks what is stored in the large tanks at Island after recent fuel protests. He presses ministers for clarity on reserve capacity, storage status, and assurances from the National Oil Reserve Agency.
Island tanks and reserve capacity
Danny Healy-Rae raises concerns over national oil reserve capacity highlighted during the recent fuel protest and asks directly what is currently stored in the massive tanks on the Island. He demands to know whether the tanks are fit for purpose and insists on establishing a 12-month reserve to protect Ireland from global energy shocks.
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Thank you very much, Tánaiste. During the recent fuel protest it became very clear that we don't have enough oil reserve capacity. In the early days there was motorists that Europe could facilitate us up for 12 months, there was no more about that then. What is the position of the massive storage tanks in Whitty Island? We are conceding from the road going from Kilgarevan to Bantry. What is inside them tanks now? Water, birdseed or what? Did Minister Raymond Ryan get them filled with concrete? If he did he should be given a loom pumper and a screwdriver and break every bit of concrete out to begin and send some of his supporters as well with him because things like that he promised to do. So I want to know, what are they going to do with the tanks in Whitty Island that will make them useful to people? We need 12 months of a reserve and we have no trouble keeping down the prices while there's wars and other things going on in other parts of the world. Sir Margot, well I suppose one sure way to run down supplies is to not allow them in and out when we only had one refinery in the country. So I'm glad that situation is resolved because at a time of global insecurity regarding energy supply it's important we continue to make sure that supply of energy to this country continues. Second point I'd make is I met recently with NORA, that's not a female, it's the National Oil Reserve Agency and I was very pleased to say that they gave a significant assurance to the government in relation to our own supply of energy even with the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. And the third point I truthfully don't know the answer to is that nothing was filled with concrete by former Minister Eamon Ryan who serves this country. We can agree or disagree with him but he was a good public servant and honourable man. But I will ask Minister O'Brien to come back to you with a specific update on the issues you've raised.
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