Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 6

Written Answers. - Pollution of Clare Beaches.

Donal Carey

Question:

99 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Marine when he will give permission to the manager of Clare County Council to proceed with the clean up of the beaches on the west coast, some of which have blue flags; and if he will confirm that his Department are responsible for the recoupment of funds to local authorities following an oil pollution incident in accordance with circular env 203/7/1 no 19/73 which was issued on 15 June 1973; and if he agrees that this matter needs to be resolved urgently.

Donal Carey

Question:

101 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there was a serious oil spillage on Clare beaches which needs urgent attention by Clare County Council; if he will outline whether his Department are responsible for the payment to the local authority of the expenses incurred by them in accordance with circular letter env 203/7/1 no. 19/70 of 15 June 1973; and if he agrees that this matter needs his urgent response.

Minister for the Marine (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 101 together.

Immediately the problem of pollution on the beaches in Kerry, Clare, Galway and Mayo was reported to my Department all resources were activated. Efforts to trace the culprit(s) are continuing.

Conscious of the urgency of "clean up" operations I have written to the County Manager of Clare, Galway, Mayo and Kerry county councils asking them to complete "clean up" operations in their area.

The usual sources of refund of costs for "clean up" operations of this type is the polluter. In this case the culprit has not been identified, but efforts to do so are continuing. Samples of oil taken from all the beaches affected have been sent away for analysis and finger printing.

There is no provision in my Vote that would enable me to refund moneys spent in this connection to local authorities. However, I have undertaken to raise the matter of funding with the Government at the earliest possible opportunity, when details of expenditure incurred are received by me.

With regard to the Department of the Environment's 1973 circular that Department have indicated that they no longer operate a subsidy scheme for clearance of oil pollution.