asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs in view of the fact that a Russian submarine, with 14 nuclear warheads on board, is still lying at the bottom of the ocean off the Irish coast; if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Russian Submarine off Irish Coast.
15.
I presume the Deputy's question refers to the Soviet "Yankee" class submarine which sank on 6 October 1986, 600 miles north-east of Bermuda in 18,000 feet of water. While the Government are naturally concerned at the potential consequences of any incident of this nature, the Deputy may already be aware that the Soviet authorities stated at the time that there was and is no possibility either of a nuclear explosion or of radioactive pollution of the environment as a result of the accident.
I am sure the Minister will agree that the perpetrators or sufferers of such accidents, whether they be Russian or American, are unlikely to state that there is a risk of a nuclear explosion or nuclear pollution. While this is far away from us, because of the Gulf Stream and the good things it brings us, will the Minister pursue this matter to ensure that in future the Gulf Stream does not bring us things we do not need in the form of nuclear pollution? In view of the fact that the Irish Sea at present is the most nuclear polluted sea in the world, it is most important that the other seas around our coasts are not similarly polluted through the normally life giving and good giving Gulf Stream.
I agree fully with the views expressed by the Deputy. I will follow the matter up because the environmental hazards consequent on this sort of thing are horrible to visualise.
I understand from the Minister's reply that the vessel is in 18,000 ft. of water. Can he say if any efforts have been made to recover the vessel or if the question of its recovery has been raised by him or the Irish Government at any international forum?
I will follow this up. In case any scare arises about this vessel, it is well away from our coast. It is nearest to the coast of Bermuda.
Proinsias de Rossa
It is potentially near our shores.
I will follow this matter up because I share the anxieties expressed by the Deputies.
The Minister should be aware that, while it is physically far away from our coast, it is potentially very close to it.
Did the Deputy rise to ask a question or to make a statement?
I wish to raise on the Adjournment the subject matter of my private notice question dealing with the agreement announced today between the ESB management and the unions.
I will communicate with the Deputy.