Vol. 408 No. 6
9 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for the Marine the total cost to the Exchequer of the anti-pollution operation, mounted by his Department, arising from the grounding of the French factory ship off the Clare coast last month; if this money will be recovered from the vessel owners or insurers; if there has been any damage to shellfish life in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The total cost to the Exchequer of the anti-pollution operation, mounted by my Department, arising from the grounding of the French factory ship, the Capitaine Pleven II off the Clare coast last month is currently being assessed.
I intend to seek reimbursement from the insurers of the vessel of the full cost to the Exchequer of the incident.
Samples of shellfish have been taken which are currently being analysed to determine if any damage has been caused.
First, in relation to the possible damage to fish life, while I appreciate that the results of the tests are not yet available, does the Minister have any preliminary information which would suggest that there has been damage to fish life? Second, in relation to the recovery of the cost of the operation mounted by his Department, does he have any regular system in place which will deal with this kind of situation in the future? We have had a number of incidents now where ships have got into trouble in Irish waters which resulted in a major threat to our coastline and to fish life, and a possible cost to the taxpayer for the clearing up operation. Does the Minister have anything in mind by way of legislation or regulations to deal with the situation so that the costs can be recovered on an ongoing basis from the ship owners or insurers?
I am glad to tell the Deputy there is a structure already in existence and ready to go into action as soon as an incident such as this happens. That is precisely what happened in this instance. The management by the officers of my Department at Ballyvaughan was exemplary — as Deputy Taylor-Quinn acknowledged — and we are in a position to claim from the insurers of the ship the cost of that operation.
Regarding the cargo of rotten fish which the ship was carrying, and which Cork County Council had to take out, I presume that cost will also be recovered from the insurers.
The fish that went bad on board and the fish flour that also deteriorated had to be buried by Cork County Council. I am sure Cork County Council are sharp enough to see to it that they recover their costs.
There are very sharp fellows down there.
Would the Minister agree that the extraordinary co-operation that took place between the personnel of the various Departments on the occasion in question prevented major environmental damage in the Ballyvaughan and Galway Bay area?
I have great pleasure in putting on the record my appreciation of the various Departments. As I mentioned to Deputy O'Sullivan, there is a pollution operations group in existence and the co-ordination was magnificent on that occasion. I want to pay particular tribute to the county councils, particularly Clare County Council, for their part in what took place.
