asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he proposes to use his powers, if any, to order the removal of a wrecked ship from the beach in a seaside holiday resort where, in the opinion of the local authority of the area, it is a danger to the tourist industry by virtue of the threat of pollution from oil discharge from the wreck.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wrecked Ships Removal.
3.
The removal of a wrecked ship from a beach is a matter, in the first instance, for the owner, who is subject to legal penalties if any pollution by oil discharge from the vessel occurs. A harbour or conservancy authority, or the Commissioners of Irish Lights, can also remove a wreck if they consider it an obstruction or danger to navigation. I have no statutory powers to remove or order the removal of such a wreck.
Could the Minister say who has such power? That reply is very vague. There are wrecks on many of our beaches with the inherent danger of pollution from oil in them. Surely to goodness somebody is responsible?
The owners are responsible.
But they will not do it.
Then the Commissioners of Irish Lights or the conservancy or harbour authority in that area can. If there is no harbour authority, or no conservancy authority, then the Commissioners of Irish Lights can instruct the owners to remove the wreck, if it is a danger to navigation.
Can the Minister say if the receiver of wrecks has any responsibility in this matter?
Yes, he would have.
Has the Minister any contact with him, so that he could force his hand in any way?
If somebody salvages a vessel—I think I know the particular vessel about which Deputy Kyne and Deputy Kenneally speak— then he must hand it over to the receiver of wrecks. If nobody claims that vessel after 12 months the receiver of wrecks can dispose of it and relate some of the funds back to the person who salvaged it. In the case of the wreck about which the Deputy spoke, there are owners of it and it is their responsibility. If the Deputies are interested, I can tell them who owns it.
Is the Minister aware, despite the fact that this wrecked ship has been there for a considerable length of time, that no progress about its removal has been made whatsoever? Now that the tourist season in this major seaside resort is upon us, would the Minister agree that the matter is of extreme urgency? Would the Minister agree further that there is the danger of pollution from oil? I think the Minister must have responsibility in this matter.
The Deputy should avoid making speeches.
I understand the vessel is in fairly good condition, showing no signs of breaking up and that the dangers of pollution are not great. There are owners of the wreck and it is their responsibility to remove it. If they do not, the Commissioners of Irish Lights can instruct them to have it removed. I cannot visualise why people would buy a wreck and leave it on the sealine. They would want to dispose of it.
Do we take it that we will have to wait at least 12 months before anyone can take any action against the owners?
No. I said that if people salvage a vessel they have to hand it over to the Receiver of Wrecks and after 12 months he can then dispose of the wreck. He cannot do it for 12 months.
Have the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries any function in the matter of the detrimental effect a possible oil spillage from this wreck could have on marine life in Tramore Bay?
I am not sure of that. I do not think they would have any function in that regard but I am not certain.
Would the Minister be good enough to bring this matter to their attention?
I will.
I am sure the Minister is aware of how unsatisfactory the whole position is with regard to the removal of such wrecks. We know that there are other wrecks on our coasts in other parts of the country which have remained there for a considerable length of time. We do not want repetition of that in Tramore. I am sure the Minister is aware of this.
I am. If I can bring any pressure to bear on the owners to have it removed as quickly as possible I will do so, but I have no statutory power in the matter.