Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dublin Bay Dumping.

Ivor Callely

Question:

32 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the level, volume and type of waste currently authorised to be dumped at sea; the effects, if any, such sewage sludge dumping in Dublin Bay may have on swimming and bathing areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14365/96]

Ivor Callely

Question:

233 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the condition of the former sludge dump-site two miles off Howth Head; the level of recovery obtainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14522/96]

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Barrett)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 233 together.

Only dredge spoil and natural material such as sand, gravel and rock, fish waste and sewage sludge (in the case of Dublin) are permitted under dumping at sea legislation. I am arranging to have a detailed list of all permits which are currently in existence circulated in the Official Report.

Dublin Corporation currently holds an annual permit granted by my Department permitting the disposal of up to a maximum of 340,000 tonnes of sewage sludge at sea during 1996 with a maximum of 2,000 tonnes to be dumped per day. Three trips are normally made to the site per week with approximately 2,000 tonnes being disposed of on each trip. The dump site is located some 14 miles south-east of the Kish Lighthouse well away from Dublin Bay.

In March 1991, following extensive scientific studies, the site used by Dublin Corporation for the disposal of sewage sludge was relocated from its previous location two miles off Howth Head to a new site south-east of the Kish Lighthouse about ten to 14 miles offshore. Some localised environmental impact had been identified in the vicinity of the old site.

Monitoring of the status of the new sewage sludge dump site and the recovery status of the old dump site close to Howth Head was carried out in 1993. At the new dump site the monitoring revealed that there was no significant impact on the sediment fauna in the area, reflecting the dispersive nature of the dump-site, while at the old dump site the monitoring revealed an increase in the number of benthic faunal species in the area, suggesting good recovery. According to international practice, monitoring of such sites is recommended at approximately five year intervals and the sites will be fully resurveyed in 1998. Under present disposal conditions environmental problems are not anticipated, however, I am arranging for an interim survey of both sites next year.

Because of the distance of the current dump site from bathing areas the dumping of the sludge has no impact on bathing areas.

This is the only authorised dumping of sewage sludge at sea in Ireland. The new Dumping at Sea Act, 1996 prohibits such dumping with effect from 31 December 1998. This is in line with the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment (OSPAR). Dublin Corporation's plan for alternative disposal methods has been approved by the Department of the Environment and work on the implementation of the plan to switch to land based disposal after 31 December 1998 is on target.

Permit Holder	Description of Material	Quantity to be Dumped (Tonnes)	Site
Malahide Marina Village Ltd.	Dredge Spoil	350,000	Dublin (35 km offshore)
Malahide Marina Village Ltd.	Sand	126,000	Donabate (Beach nourishment site)
Drogheda Harbour Commissioners	Dredge Spoil	60,000	Drogheda
Limerick Harbour Commissioners	Dredge Spoil	125,000	Limerick
Cork Harbour Commissioners	Dredge Spoil	160,000	Cork
Dublin Port and Docks Board	Dredge Spoil	100,000	Dublin
Department of the Marine (Engineering) Burtonport	Dredge Spoil	20,000	Burtonport Harbour
Department of the Marine (Engineering) Burtonport	Dredge Spoil	2,500	Burtonport
Sofrimar Ltd.	Fish shells and fish offal	2,500	Kilmore Quay
Tralee and Fenit Pier and Harbour Commissioners	Dredge Spoil	15,000	Fenit Harbour
Dublin Corporation	Sewage Sludge	340,000	Dublin
ESB (Tarbert Generating Station)	Dredge Spoil	1,000	Limerick
Cork Corporation	Dredge Spoil	100,000	Cork (Lee Tunnel)
Cork Corporation	Dredge Spoil	750,000	Cork (Lee Tunnel)
Department of the Marine Engineering	Granite Rock	40,000	Tory Island