asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representation by Ireland at the conference held in London regarding marine pollution and if any Irish delegate made a contribution to the subject matter under discussion.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Marine Pollution.
37.
An International Conference on Marine Pollution has been convened by the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation (IMCO) to meet in London from 8th October until 2nd November, 1973. The main purpose of the conference is to prepare a suitable international agreement to prevent pollution of the marine environment by the discharge, from ships and other vessels, of harmful substances or effluents containing such substances.
The Irish delegation to the conference is being led by the Minister Counsellor in the Irish Embassy in London and consists of officials from my Department and from the Department of Transport and Power and a scientific adviser from the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards.
The Government recognise that marine pollution is a global problem which requires a truly international solution. In the context of the present conference it is our policy to work for the adoption by the international community of higher pollution control standards in regard to vessel construction and discharges and for a more effective system of enforcement. The Irish delegation has been taking an active part in the conference to achieve these ends.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.