Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 8

Written Answers. - Report of the Irish Sea Science Co-ordination Group.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

41 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Marine if he has received the final report of the Irish Sea Science Co-ordination Group; if so, whether he will outline its recommendations; and the action, if any, he intends to take on foot of these recommendations. [11521/95]

Minister of State at the Department of the Marine (Mr. Gilmore)

The Irish Sea Science Co-ordination Group was established in May 1992 with the following terms of reference: To advise on the potential for better integration of research and monitoring programmes with respect to improving knowledge of Irish Sea marine environmental issues and on the priorities for further work, including research and monitoring necessary to address inadequacies in present arrangements.

The first report of the group entitledResearch and Monitoring on the Irish Sea (May 1993) gives an inventory of research and monitoring projects which have been undertaken. The second report entitled An Integrated Science Programme for the Irish Sea: a review of current activities and future needs which became available in February 1995 analyses requirements for scientific information on the Irish Sea.

The group completed its deliberations, on schedule, in May 1995. The third and final report to be entitledAn integrated Science Programme for the Irish Sea; synthesis and recommendations identifies specific projects that warrant priority in the future. The report is now being edited prior to printing. I expect that it will be submitted to me and my Ministerial colleagues at the Department of the Environment here and in the UK by mid-July 1995. At that stage decisions will be taken on bringing forward the recommendations in the report. The report will, in any event, form the basis of a joint UK/Ireland quality status report for the Irish Sea and other Irish coastal waters in accordance with obligations under the Oslo and Paris conventions to which both the UK and Ireland are party. That report which will encompass the entire maritime area of the Conventions is due for completion by the year 2000.