asked the Minister for Transport and Power what control is exercised to ensure that oil tankers using Bantry Bay, County Cork, for the purpose of loading and unloading oil, take all necessary steps to prevent waste oil from being discharged into the bay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Pollution Precautions.
11.
The discharge of waste oil within Irish territorial waters is prohibited by the Oil Pollution of the Sea Acts, 1956 and 1965 and vessels contravening the provisions of these Acts are subject to heavy penalties. The terminal management have warned all concerned that such discharges are strictly prohibited and they have provided adequate facilities onshore for the disposal of oily waste. The most modern methods of control are used to minimise the danger of accidental escapes of oil or oily waste during transfer operations. Officers of my Department keep a close check on operations at the terminal.