asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will consider having consultations with the British Government with a view to setting up a joint body to consider what steps are necessary to prevent oil and general pollution in the Irish Sea.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sea Pollution.
24.
The prevention of oil pollution of the sea is governed by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil. Both Britain and this country have accepted this convention which has been implemented by legislation in both countries. No specific consultations with the British Government are, therefore, necessary in this regard.
There have been informal consultations with the British authorities on the question of co-operation in dealing with oil spillages at sea. The establishment of formal liaison arrangements cannot, however, be undertaken until such time as a decision is reached on the type of organisation to be set up in this country to deal with the clearing up of oil spillages. As I indicated in reply to a previous question on 16th June, this is dependent on the review at present in progress in the light of an inquiry by an inter-departmental committee.
As regards the general question of pollution of the sea, my responsibility extends only to the problem of pollution by oil. Other forms of pollution are the responsibility of other Ministers.