asked the Minister for the Marine the action, if any, he proposes to take to establish a standing conference on the Irish Sea, comprised of representatives from the British and Irish Governments, the Isle of Man, Northern Ireland and other interested parties who have an active interest in the Irish Sea with a view to drawing up a programme of environmental and marine management similar to the North Sea Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Irish Sea.
14.
The North Sea situation is different in a number of important respects from that of the Irish Sea. The Irish Sea does not have the same pollution problems as the North Sea, which are caused by rivers and outfalls from highly urbanised and industrial areas in northern Europe. A wide variety of countries contribute to the problems there, and that makes the Conference approach more effective.
I believe that in the first instance progress can be achieved by pursuing bilateral contacts which have already been established at ministerial and official level between Ireland and the UK. Agreement has already been reached with the UK to draw up a co-ordinated monitoring programme and to pursue other areas of co-operation in relation to the management of the Irish Sea.
In addition, the Government are also actively supporting the work of the Irish Sea Study Group, which is made up inter alia of scientists from both the Irish and UK Governments. They are studying various environmental aspects of the Irish Sea. Their report will be presented to an international conference hosted by the Isle of Man Government in late 1990. The Government are supporting this conference and will be actively participating in its work. Nuclear pollution is a matter for the Minister for Energy.