asked the Minister for Labour the Number of oil terminals in the State; and the dates and the duration of official visits to and inspections of such oil terminals made by officials of his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Oil Terminals .
25.
: The number of oil jetties for which I have certain responsibilities under the Oil Jetties Regulations, 1979, is 18 — three in Cork, two in Dublin, two in New Ross, and one each at Dundalk, Drogheda, Arklow, Waterford, Fiddown, County Kilkenny, Whitegate, Foynes, Limerick, Dernish Island, near Shannon Airport, Galway and Sligo. The jetty at Whiddy Island is not at present in active use.
All jetties are subject to inspection by inspectors of the Department. Since April 1979, visits have taken place as follows:—
Drogheda, 12 November 1979 — half a day; Dublin, 23-24 July 1979 — two days; New Ross, 21 November 1979 and 21 October 1980 — one-and-a-half days; Waterford, 20 October 1980 — half a day; Fiddown, 14 September 1979 — half a day and 20 October 1980 — half a day; Whitegate, 10-11 May 1979 — one day; Cork, 10-11 April 1980, 17-18 April 1980, 15 September 1980 — four-and-a-half days; Foynes, 6 September 1979 — half a day; Limerick, 6 September 1979 — half a day; Dernish Island, 6 September 1979 — half a day; Sligo, 3 December 1979 — half a day; 13 October 1980 — one day.
Prior to the making of the Oil Jetties Regulations routine inspections of 278 docks listed were carried out annually in accordance with regulations made in 1960 under the Factories Act, 1955.
: First of all, am I to understand that the Oil Jetty Regulations were made subsequent to the Whiddy disaster?
: That is correct. I think I have explained to the House already why that is so.
: I accept that. Could the Minister now tell us whether in relation to his responsibilities under the 1960 Act inspections were made of the Whiddy Terminal and whether any recommendations that may have been made in relation to safety of workers at that terminal by his inspectors were carried out by the company and whether they were approved satisfactorily by his Department?
: Certainly inspections were carried out, but the Deputy will appreciate that that is a separate question relating to the operation of the 1960 regulations. If he wishes to put down a separate question in relation to Whiddy Island I will give him that information.
: Is the Minister satisfied that the safety regulations are being implemented on these terminals and that there will not be a recurrence of the situation which arose at Whiddy Island?
: One can only try to ensure that inspections are carried out and that matters drawn to the attention of the authorities of these jetties are implemented. I have every intention of continuing in that direction. The Deputy should be aware that this comes under the implementation of the Dangerous Substances Act, 1972. As soon as the regulations were made inspections were carried out, and will continue to be carried out. Whiddy Island is not operational at the moment and therefore is not being inspected.
: Can the Minister assure us — I only mention this because he raised this point himself — that any matters which were brought to the attention of the Whiddy Island authorities by his inspectorate in relation to the 1960 and 1972 Acts were complied with?
: The Deputy should be aware that the report published by the tribunal contained all that information.