asked the Minister for Defence the training that the Naval Service has been given and the equipment that has been made available to it for dealing with pollution at sea and in particular with oil leaks or "blow out" occurring during the exploration for or the development of oil fields.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Slick Disposal.
20.
Four spraying units for use on board ship and an adequate supply of dispersant concentrate are held. The personnel of all four patrol vessels are versed in the use of the equipment.
Have they any practical experience of this work?
The only operational involvement to date by the sea unit has been in June, 1976, in the case of a reported oil slick off Wicklow Head. Contingency arrangements were made to deal with the problem including moving LE Banba and LE Deirdre into the area. In the event, the slick broke up and did not constitute a pollution threat but they were ready and available there.
Could I ask the Minister if in his reply he said that Army personnel were trained in the spreading of a certain liquid, and, if so, would he indicate to the House what liquid would be used by them in the event of an oil spillage or blow out?
In the event of an oil spillage, naturally enough the liquid used would be the best available for the breaking up of the slick.
This is what I feared, that the liquid would be the best available for the breaking up of the oil, but the use of such a detergent could have a damaging effect on fish stocks. It is absolutely essential that any detergents used by the State or local authority organisations in clearing up oil spillage shall not be of a kind which will be detrimental to fish stocks off our coasts. I would ask the Minister to ensure that a full study be made of the types of liquid which he says are the only forms——
This is a long question.
There are other methods of clearing up oil spillages than the use of detergents, which can have a disastrous effect on fish.
I take it from the Minister's previous answer that there was no activity on that occasion and, arising out of that, may I ask if they have had any training or experience outside the country?
I can assure the Deputy they have experience.
Would the Minister care to offer a comment on the points I raised?
He is not interested in fish.