A Cork East TD is calling on the Minister for the Environment Eamon Ryan to meet representatives from Irving Oil following concerns that the Whitegate Oil Refinery could potentially be closed.
Pat Buckley says he is seriously concerned that over 170 jobs could be lost at the refinery and is calling for the state to consider re-nationalising it.
It follows concerns that the country may face power blackouts over the next few years due to increased demand on the powergrid coupled with a shortage of supply.
The issue was raised last month after the Single Electricty Market Operator issed an amber warning due to a shortfall in the amount of electricty being generated.
Speaking to RedFM News, Deputy Pat Buckley says his information suggests the closure could happened before the new year.
"The information that I have received is that there could be a possible closure of the Whitegate refinery.
"This is not the first one - when I was a county councillor back in 2016 we had the same issue.
"We are now facing the possibility of the Whitegate refinery closing, the only refinery we have in the country.
"It could be as soon as Christmas.
"I can't understand why we can't renationalise that, and bring it back into state ownership, and at least we'd have the protection of our own industry supply."
