Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 May 1996

Vol. 465 No. 3

Written Answers. - Beaufort Dyke Study.

Eoin Ryan

Question:

248 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for the Marine whether the Scottish Office has undertaken to carry out a study on the Beaufort Dyke munitions dump site in order to remap and rechart the extent of the dump site and the distribution of munitions within this site; if so, when this study will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9562/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

A firm commitment to put in place a system of monitoring and management of the Beaufort's Dyke dumpsite was secured by my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Marine, Deputy Gilmore, at a recent meeting with the Minister for the Environment, Scottish Office, Lord Lindsay and Secretary of State for Defence, Lord Howe in London.

It was agreed that the Scottish Office would undertake a new study on the Beaufort Dyke munitions dumpsite in order to re-map and re-chart the extent of the dumpsite and the distribution of munitions within the site. It was also agreed that UK and Irish scientists would co-operate on the methodology and methods of analysis for the study and they will jointly review the data emerging. UK scientists and scientists from the Marine Institute have been in discussion in this regard.

The study will take place in three phases. The first phase was completed in March; the second and third phases will take place during April/May and July respectively. UK scientists and scientists from the Marine Institute will be liaising during the period of the study.

When the 1996 study of the Beaufort Dyke dumpsite is completed there will be a further meeting in Dublin with the two UK Ministers to assess the results and to discuss what further steps are required at that stage.