Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 4

Written Answers. - Tenby (Wales) Campaign for Clean Seas Group.

John Browne

Question:

38 Mr. Browne (Wexford) asked the Minister for the Marine what discussions, if any, his Department officials have had with the Tenby Campaign for Clean Seas Group which includes some prominent Welsh Members of Parliament and was established to improve the safe transportation of hydrocarbons by sea in view of the Sea Empress disaster; and his views on whether Ireland will be involved jointly in any such discussions to improve such safe transportation in view of our proximity to Milford Haven. [8243/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

My colleague at the Department, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and I received correspondence, dated 22 March 1996, from the Tenby Campaign for Clean Seas Group outlining the objectives of the campaign and developments to that date.

The campaign is in reaction to the Sea Empress incident, last February, at Milford Haven in Wales. We have examined the objectives of the campaign which we find plausible and noted their approach.

As I mentioned in my reply to Questions Nos. 6, 41, 45 and 49 the implications of theSea Empress incident for the state of the south Irish Sea will arise in the comprehensive review of that incident by the UK and European authorities. We will monitor the preparation of this report and will make contact appropriately with authorities etc. on the UK side of the Irish Sea with a view to raising awareness of our concerns and minimising the threat from pollution to this area.