asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork Harbour Commissioners are operating two vessels in the Cork harbour area which are painted with the compound tributyltin, one of the most deadly biocides in existence; if, in view of the possible damage that this may cause to marine life in the harbour, he intends to amend by-law No. 657 of 1987 to specifically prevent the use of vessels painted with TBT operating in areas such as Cork harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Compound Tributyltin.
15.
I am aware that Cork Harbour Commissioners have used anti-fouling compounds containing tributyltin on one of their vessels which is not covered by by-law No. 657 of 1987 as it is over 25 metres in length. I have, however received an assurance from the commissioners that they will not use such compounds on any of their vessels in future.
The by-law in question will be reviewed in due course in the light of experience in the first year of its operation and developments elsewhere.
Would the Minister of State say which of the two vessels used the anti-fouling compound because the information available to us suggests that both Cork Harbour Commissioners' vessels have been coated with this anti-fouling compound.
My information is there are two vessels there, one using it——
Which one?
From the information available to me the vessel using it is the Ringacoltig.
Would the Minister of State investigate the position of the Thomas F. Doyle— the other vessel — because our information is to the effect that both vessels have been coated with this substance? Both of them are exempted under the regulation. In reviewing the regulation No. 657 of 1987, will the Minister of State as a matter of urgency also consider the definition of “the sea”, particularly in relation to Cork harbour? It appears that the definition at law, being the median point of high water level, means that most of the harbour and the estuary up as far as Parliament Bridge and Patrick's Bridge in Cork are seas for the purposes of the regulation.
Surely this is an extension of the subject matter of this question.
The banning of TBT was absolutely necessary. The Minister introduced that ban on 8 April 1987 and we will be reviewing the matter early next year. I will certainly investigate the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the Thomas F. Doyle, together with the Ringacoltig. Within the by-law which is in existence at present the boats in excess of 24 metres can legally use this substance. We have been given an assurance that in future there will be no detrimental effects of TBT on fish life. I will follow through with the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the Thomas F. Doyle and I will also look at the definition of “sea” in this by-law.