asked the Minister for Transport if the Government will be represented at the London Dumping Convention which will be held from 14 to 19 February 1983.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Dumping Convention.
17.
Ireland will be represented at the Seventh Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (the London Dumping Convention) to be held in London from 14-18 February 1983.
Is the Minister aware that there is definite scientific evidence available to indicate that the dumping of nuclear waste off the south-west coast is dangerous? Has the Minister's Department done any study of the problem? If they have what evidence have they come up with?
That certainly is a separate question. It is not near the question asked.
I am sure the Minister's Department are aware that Britain, who were a signatory to the last convention, are in contravention of that convention in that they are not monitoring sites.
That is a separate question. The Minister could not be expected to have that information with him in reply to the question on the Order Paper.
Has the Minister's Department made any approaches to the British Government to protest at the continuous dumping off our coast?
I do not want to appear to be cutting the Deputy short but the question merely asks if the Minister's Department will be represented at a conference in London?
I am sure the Minister's Department would know.
The Minister's Department would know but they would not give the information to the Minister to reply to the question asked.
In view of the fact that the Government will be represented at this convention will they be opposing the continued dumping of nuclear waste off the south-west coast?
That is another question. That is what I have been shooting down.
I am sure the Minister would be willing to give the answer to that. Why will they be there if they are not going to oppose?
The representation at the meeting will be from the Department of Foreign Affairs and not from my Department and a policy decision will be taken by that Department.