Sinn Féin has called on the Government to considers buying the oil refinery at Whitegate, County Cork.

East Cork TD Sandra McLellan made the call after a meeting between a delegation of workers from the refinery and a team of Sinn Féin representatives which also included Liadh Ní Riada MEP and Cllr Pat Buckley. The Sinn Féin delegation also met with senior management from Phillips 66.

Deputy McLellan said: "The refinery contributes €100 million directly into the local economy and is of huge benefit to the whole Cork Harbour area. It also contributes to at least 600 spin-off jobs and accounts for half the shipping tonnage in Cork Harbour .

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"If this refinery ceases to operate after 2016, Ireland will not only lose another vital asset but there will also be massive implications for East Cork and the island as a whole. Sinn Féin wants Whitegate Oil Refinery to be part of Government policy. We need fuel that is secure, sustainable and affordable for Ireland.

"Whitegate Oil Refinery is keeping the price of fuel down. We could end up with a scenario where, as a nation, we will have to export our crude oil and buy it back from other refineries at a much higher price. This would be detrimental to the whole country."

(CD)