asked the Minister for Health whether he has taken or will take any action to protest against the dumping off the west coast of Scotland of 25,000 tons of nerve gas and lethal chemicals, and dumping of atomic waste off the Welsh coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dumping Protest.
8.
I am not aware of any recent dumping of gas or chemicals off the Scottish coast or of any dumping of atomic waste off the Welsh coast and, if the Deputy has information about such dumping, I would be glad to have it.
Shortly after the last war, a quantity of poison gas was dumped 200 miles north west of Scotland. The likelihood of this having any effect on Ireland is considered remote. No protest was made and, indeed, after a quarter of a century has elapsed, none is contemplated.
The position about radioactivity in the Irish sea was raised by the Deputy and dealt with in previous parliamentary questions. Arrangements have been completed with the National Radiation Monitoring Service of Ireland to set up a regular monitoring service of sea water, fish and seaweed from selected sites off the Irish coast.
Can the Minister say whether any investigation has recently been made as to the condition of the canisters in which the lethal gas was dumped in the sea because the suggestion has been made that these canisters are now perishing and the lethal gas is escaping?
The only information we have is from the British authorities and it is to the effect that the estimated safety level for marine environment is kept in mind when these canisters are dumped. I am told that, because they are so far off the coast, they cannot possibly affect us here.
The British are, of course, unlikely to blame themselves.