Vol. 397 No. 2
13 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine the present position regarding the operation in Bantry Bay, County Cork, to make safe the Tribulus; when it is expected that the vessel will be removed from the bay; if any assessment has been carried out to determine whether any damage has been done to marine life in the bay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Limerick West): All heavy fuel oil has now been successfully removed from the vessel. The next stage will be to complete the repairs to the structure of the vessel following which the vessel will leave the bay.
A committee comprising local fishermen, officials from my Department and the owner's insurance company have been set up to assess damage and liability for gear, fish stocks, and the marine environment generally. The owners, Shell Tankers (UK) Limited, have accepted responsibility for the spill and have assured me that they will discharge all their liabilities of whatever nature which arise directly from the casualty to the vessel.
I note that another committee has been established. It appears that the Department are going to be very busy during the next few months. Can the Minister of State give us any indication as to when this committee will have completed their work, if any damage has been caused to marine life in Bantry Bay as a result of the spillage from the Tribulus and when a definitive report might be forthcoming from the committee?
(Limerick West): I remind the Deputy that it is the policy of my Department, which I am sure the Deputy agrees with, to involve all interests and not just leave it to the Minister and the Department to make a decision. Substantial progress has been made to date. I have to say that the owners have cooperated fully with my Department in eliminating the pollution threat and effecting repairs. Therefore, I hope a decision will be made very shortly. The extent of the pollution is very small. Small amounts of bunker oil leaked from the damaged vessel and foams and skimmers were deployed to mop up the oil as a preventive measure. Local fishermen were given an absorbent boom to protect their mussel beds in the bay. Where the oil was washed ashore Cork County Council staff were quickly deployed to clean up oil debris and seaweed. The position now is that the shoreline is clean and there is no oil on the water.
Have the owners of the vessel accepted complete responsibility? Have they undertaken to pay for whatever damage has been caused and for the cost of cleaning up and the assessment of the damage?
(Limerick West): They have given a written undertaking that they will discharge all their liabilities which arise directly from this casualty.
