Vol. 241 No. 6
asked the Minister for Transport and Power who was responsible for the oil slick in Dublin Bay in the first week of July; what penalties are applicable to persons responsible for polluting the sea and coast line and bird life with oil; if he is satisfied that the precautions against and means for remedying oil slicks are adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
46.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if his attention has been drawn to reports of oil pollution at Clontarf, Dublin; what investigations he has made in regard to the cause of the pollution; if he will make a statement in the matter.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.
I understand from Dublin Port and Docks Board that the oil pollution referred to was caused by an accidental spillage from a storage tank at one of the oil companies' depots on 1st July, 1969. Some of the oil flowed into the waters of the harbour and steps were immediately taken by the board's fire protection inspectors and engineering staff to clear up the spillage. The contamination was cleared by the evening of that day with the exception of a small area which later appeared and was dispersed on the 3rd July.
The Dublin Port and Docks Board have in force approved bye-laws regulating the discharging, loading, handling, storage and distribution of petroleum at the Port of Dublin. Contravention of the bye-laws is an offence for which a person on conviction is liable to a fine not exceeding £10. In addition, the Oil Pollution of the Sea Act, 1956, makes it an offence to discharge oil into the sea. A person committing such an offence is liable to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
My predecessor set up a working party to advise on what measures should be taken to deal with serious oil pollution affecting Irish territorial and adjoining seas and beaches. The report of the group has just been submitted to me and I shall have to consider its findings before deciding what further measures should be taken both to guard against oil pollution and to clear up any pollution that might occur.
Has the Minister definitely established the firm that was responsible for this oil pollution and can he say if those owners of boats in the area who are put to considerable expense in repairing and repainting their boats will receive compensation from the firm responsible for this oil pollution?
The firm involved is Texaco Ltd. and they were very immediate in their reaction to the problem. They made contact straight away with the Dublin Port and Docks Board and the matter was cleared up, as I have stated. Any civil matter concerning legal liability or otherwise is entirely a matter for the person concerned and the company.
Is the Minister aware that, despite a statement by a spokesman for the Dublin Port and Docks Board that this oil pollution had been cleared, it was clearly visible two days later?
This is what I have said in reply, that there was an immediate reaction. On the very day that it happened the company reported it to the Dublin Port and Docks Board and action was taken. That was done on the evening of the day. But there was a further scum revealed on 3rd July, two days afterwards, and that was cleared as well. It is a matter for legal settlement between anybody who may feel prejudiced and the company concerned.
It is clear that, despite the fact that the spokesman for the Dublin Port and Docks Board said the pollution had then been completely cleared, it still existed two days later?
The most immediate action possible was taken on the part of the private company involved — Texaco Ltd. — and on the part of the Dublin Port and Docks Board. It happened and it was dealt with. Any other prejudice is entirely a matter for legal settlement between the people involved and the company.
This is entirely a matter between the owners of the boats and the Texaco Oil Company?
Questions must be allowed to proceed. There are a number of questions yet to be dealt with.
As far as the public interest was concerned immediate action was taken by the body for which I am responsible — the Dublin Port and Docks Board.
This matter——
I am calling Question No. 47.
