asked the Minister for Transport and Power the number of occasions on which oil spillage has occurred at Bantry, County Cork; if the offending parties were on each occasion prosecuted; and, if so, the average fine imposed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bantry (County Cork) Oil Spillage.
8.
Since the opening of the Bantry oil terminal in 1968 there have been four oil spillages. Prosecutions were brought on these four occasions. On conviction, two fines of £250, one of £200 and one of £25, which was in respect of a minor offence, were imposed. In addition, there were three cases of minor escapes of oil which did not constitute offences under the Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 and 1965.
Is the Minister satisfied that these fines are sufficient to oblige the operators of this terminal to take all precautions to ensure that there will be no further spillages?
I am satisfied and in addition to what has happened through the courts I have had discussions with the company concerned on this matter as a result of which I am satisfied they are doing everything that requires to be done.
Could the Minister say what is the maximum fine that can be imposed for this offence?
The maximum fine on indictment would be £5,000 with a fine of £500 per day for a continuing offence. On a summary prosecution, which is the better type of prosecution to bring so as to obtain more practical and immediate results, the £250 fine would appear to be very high.
Could the Minister say what is the maximum fine on a summary offence and what is the continuing daily amount?
It does not arise in regard to a summary prosecution. In the case of summary prosecution there is an immediate fine. On indictment, leading to a jury and so on, it is on the basis of £500 a day.
I am aware that this is the National Parliament but would the Minister not consider that Bantry Bay could be looked after very well by the three Deputies from South West Cork without getting the benefit of the advice of our friends from Westmeath and Dublin?
UDI for Bantry Bay.
I am very much in agreement with Deputy Murphy.
Could the Minister say what the fine in respect of spillages would be under the Harbours Act?
The question relates to Bantry.
It is uniform for the entire country. The fine would be the same in respect of Bantry, Arklow, Sligo or elsewhere.
Is the Minister aware that whatever agreement the Government reached with the Gulf Oil Company initially is the cause of all this——
That is a separate question.
——and that that was the time to have made the regulations?
I must be specific about this. This is a matter which is of tremendous benefit to the country and never more so than at present when, for world reasons, our oil supplies could be curtailed. Therefore, it is important that we have this oil depot to supply us with oil in the event of any emergency arising.
What has that to do with the question?