Vol. 418 No. 4
47 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for the Marine whether the Irish Sea Co-ordination Group has reviewed existing and proposed scientific programmes; if formal arrangements have been established for co-operation and co-ordination with the United Kingdom to deal with pollution in the Irish Sea and report on any changes in this sea environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Following an initiative announced at the Irish Sea Conference in the Isle of Man in October 1990, it was agreed to establish an Irish Sea Co-ordination Group to review existing and proposed monitoring and research programmes in the Irish Sea. It was also agreed to appoint a co-ordinator to act as secretary to the group, to identify gaps in the programmes, the need for co-ordination and to prepare proposals for meeting those needs.
Universities, technological colleges and research institutions in both Ireland and the UK were invited to tender for the position of Irish Sea co-ordinator. Following detailed consideration of tenders, interviews were held in February in both Ireland and the UK by a joint Irish/UK selection board.
It was agreed to commission EOLAS, the Irish Science and Technology Agency to provide the services of Mr. Richard Boelens for three years as Irish Sea co-ordinator. I am delighted to be in a position to say that an Irish institution was considered the most suitable for the task. Mr. Boelens has had a distinguished career in marine environment research, protection and management. Mr. Boelens is expected to take up his position before the end of this month.
The co-ordination group comprising representatives of main Government Departments, laboratories and institutions conducting monitoring and research in the Irish Sea will then proceed with its work. The work will embrace pollutants from all sources including operational discharges from ships, ships' wastes and inputs from land-based sources, i.e. heavy meals, nutrients and sewage.
