Vol. 406 No. 8
13 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Marine if, in relation to the agreement made at the meeting of the International Maritime Organisation in London to phase out the dumping at sea of all industrial waste by 1995, any timetable or programme has been set by this country for such phasing out; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Limerick West): The Government's environment action programme announced the Government decision to ban all dumping at sea of industrial wastes from 31 December 1995. This accords with the decision of the Oslo Commission, taken in Dublin in June of 1989, to cease the dumping of industrial waste in the North Sea by 31 December 1989 and in the rest of the Oslo Convention area by 31 December 1995 unless it could be shown that there were no practical alternatives for disposal on land and the wastes caused no harm to the marine environment.
The three Irish based companies currently authorised to dump industrial waste at sea are preparing to switch to land based disposal at an early date within the agreed time frame.
The global agreement adopted at the last meeting of contracting parties to the London Dumping Convention, held at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation in October and November last year, is similar to the regional agreement adopted by the Oslo Commission in 1989. Ireland is a party to both the Oslo Convention and the London Dumping Convention.
The question specifically asked for a timetable or programme. Will the Minister say whether there have been discussions with the companies concerned and elaborate on the existing proposals for the land based disposal of waste to which he referred? Presumably, that option had been open to the companies prior to their decision to dispose of waste at sea. Have discussions been held with the companies about the reduction — or elimination — of waste which would reduce the need for its disposal?
(Limerick West): Discussions with the companies concerned are ongoing and the three companies involved will cease dumping at sea long before the 1995 deadline.
Is the Minister aware that figures produced in 1988-89 by EOLAS revealed that 4,000 or 5,000 tonnes of toxic chemical waste disappeared in Ireland in the three years preceding that time and that no one knew where it had gone? Since then, have we done anything under the local authorities' powers and EC Directives? Do we know where it is going and how much of it is still draining into the sea?
(Limerick West): I am quite satisfied that any dumping at sea by the three companies involved will be covered by the regulations laid down by my Department which are being fully implemented. Indeed, the companies must apply for a licence of this kind on an annual basis. The position is constantly monitored by officials of my Department and I am satisfied that the companies involved are complying with the regulations.
Those about which we know.
I should like to ask about the alternatives being pursued by the companies concerned because I am at a loss to know where this waste will be disposed of since we do not have a toxic dump or toxic incinerator. By the looks of things, we are unlikely to have a toxic waste incinerator. Therefore, will the Minister say where this waste will be dumped? Has he had any discussions with the Minister for the Environment about this matter? He referred to land based disposal, but I should like to know where it will be dumped. How will it be disposed of?
(Limerick West): It can — and does — vary from company to company.
We are talking about three companies.
(Limerick West): The Deputy's question specifically relates to dumping at sea, which I answered. However, if the Deputy wants to put down a separate question to me — or to any other Minister — we will gladly let him have the information with regard to alternative dumping. I am satisfied that I answered the question in regard to dumping of industrial waste at sea.
Has the Minister had any discussions with the Minister for the Environment in relation to this matter?
(Limerick West): Yes.
What did he say?
(Limerick West): There are ongoing discussions between my Department and——
These questions should be more properly directed to the Minister for the Environment.
