asked the Minister for Transport whether the Government proposes to take any action as a result of the report of the tribunal on the Bantry disaster.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Whiddy Tribunal Report.
52.
The Government announced, immediately on the publication of the report of the Whiddy Tribunal, that it would give effect to the recommendations made in the report so far as they came within the sphere of the Government's functions and would take the necessary steps to secure the support and co-operation of the appropriate international organisations in the implementation of such recommendations as necessitated international action.
For further details I would refer the Deputy to my reply to three questions taken together on this matter on 26 November 1980.
What steps have the Government taken to implement the findings of the report?
Is the Deputy talking about those within the competence of the Government or the international ones?
Those within the competence of the Government.
Action within the Government on the various recommendations. It is a very long reply.
Could the Minister give a synopsis of it?
As regards the Safety of Life at Sea Bill, Government approval has been given to me for the drafting of legislation which will enable Ireland to accede to this convention thereby requiring tankers over 20,000 tons to be inerted. This legislation is currently being drafted by the parliamentary draftsman and I expect to introduce it in the House next month.
Recommendations 18 to 32 relate to questions of navigational safety at the berth at Whiddy in the event of the terminal being rebuilt and will be made conditional on any permission which may be granted for the rebuilding. The Department of Labour and the local fire authority, who are Cork County Council, would also be concerned with the implementation of these recommendations in so far as they relate to fire or safety precautions. When the Bantry Bay Harbour Authority became operative they would take over certain responsibilities from the Department of Transport.
Recommendation No. 9 is the completion of check lists by tankers before port entry and the EEC has already drawn up a directive to this effect. Ireland has forwarded to Brussels a draft order implementing the directive to confirm that it covers the position. The draft has now been cleared in Brussels and the making of the order is in hands.
I also announced, when the tribunal report was released, that the full powers of the harbour authority would be transferred to the Bantry Bay Harbour Commissioners. The tribunal made no recommendations to this effect but said that the failure to establish a harbour authority at Bantry had serious consequences. Mr. Justice Costello had been advised in writing, before preparing the report, that the Minister intended to give the commissioners full powers. At present the commissioners do not wish to receive these powers since they will have no funds to discharge the appropriate responsibility until such time as a decision may be taken to reopen the Whiddy terminal.
I think that fairly well covers the scope of the recommendations that are within the competence of the Government. The Department of Labour would have certain functions in relation to implementation, under their jurisdiction and they have been notified to take whatever action they deem necessary in relation to that.
The remaining questions will appear on next Tuesday's Order Paper.