Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Nov 1997

Vol. 483 No. 1

Adjournment Debate. - Cork Harbour Oil Spillage.

Ms Clune

I thank the Minister for coming into the House. On Tuesday, 4 November, an oil spillage was reported from the refinery in Cork Harbour. Initially it was reported that three tonnes of heavy fuel oil had leaked and the leak was described as being quite small. When I visited the area, however, it was quite obvious that more than three tonnes of oil had leaked. Four days later, the estimate was revised to 25 tonnes and we still do not know the full extent of the spillage. We are being told it was somewhere between 20 and 100 tonnes, but some groups estimate that up to 300 tonnes of oil leaked that day.

There is much public concern in the area around Graball Bay where most of the oil was deposited, that the full facts have not been disclosed and people do not know how much oil actually leaked. Up to last Sunday, 12 days after the spillage, some 24 dead birds had been found in the Nohoval and Rocky Bay areas. There is serious concern at what is perceived to be a cover-up, although I do not think it is. Answers have not been provided, however, and people do not know exactly what happened in Whitegate that day.

Others questions concern why the oil leak was not detected, what monitoring procedures were in place and what pipeline testing procedures were in place. These questions need to be answered. While recognising the important role the oil refinery plays in our economy, we must also recognise the serious threat of oil as a pollutant and what impact a major leak like this could have in Cork Harbour in terms of tourism and local recreational facilities.

The EPA is currently considering an application from the refinery for an INPC licence. The emergency response procedure must be stated clearly in this operating licence. A number of questions have arisen concerning the infrastructures at the refinery. These include when the pipes that fractured were laid, how often are they replaced and how are these pipelines checked and monitored? All these questions need to be answered.

Do we need more State investment to upgrade the plant? If so, I hope it will be made. Questions that need to be asked of all major State industries include, what percentage of the running costs of the plant are spent on environmental concerns, and what percentage of capital investment has been expended on environmental protection? These questions are asked of all major private sector industries when they are setting up. We employ strict guidelines and criteria in terms of backing, and we must also be seen to apply these to our State companies.

We must recognise that environmental concerns cannot be dealt with cheaply. We need to build environmental costs into all our developments. The Minister should allay public fears of another oil spillage and the facts surrounding the latest incident should be made known to the people of Cork. They are entitled to know that Cork Harbour and its environment will not be subject to such a negative impact in the future.

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I am very concerned about any oil spillage which occurs in our waters and the threat which such a spillage poses for our marine environment. The recent incident at Whitegate could have had serious consequences but for the relatively small size of the spillage and the speed and efficiency of the clean-up operations.

The Irish National Petroleum Corporation, Cork County Council, Cork Harbour Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency are directly responsible for the response to the Whitegate incident. The Irish Marine Emergency Service of my Department provided advice and assistance, as requested. While having no direct responsibility in the matter, IMES personnel were on hand at Whitegate to assist as necessary.

In the aftermath of the incident my Department has kept in touch through the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre and the INPC, and is satisfied from the reports received that everything possible has been done in accordance with the Whitegate oil spill contingency plan. This plan involved the deployment by the INPC of refinery personnel, outside organisations and other individuals in mobilising booms, the Port of Cork pollution barge and other emergency services, as well as tracking the oil on the water by the Port of Cork pilot boat, containing the oil at the jetty site, operating the computer model to identify future location of the oil, starting clean-up operations within the refinery, dealing with queries raised by or on behalf of the public, and visiting all beaches and accessible locations in the vicinity of the harbour.

Since the incident, daily visits were made to all beaches in the harbour vicinity to check for any traces of pollution damage. Oil washed up was promptly identified, reported, contained and removed as quickly as possible. An ongoing survey by boat is also being operated in the harbour and its immediate environs.

My Department is also satisfied from the reports received that the INPC and other agencies involved have shown due concern for the various interests which might be affected by this incident. I understand a number of Irish refining company representatives attended a meeting with the residents of Graball Bay on 7 November at Crosshaven community centre. A frank and open discussion took place during which a number of issues were discussed including the extent of damage to the shoreline, how and when it would be restored to its previous condition, how such an incident could occur, the difficulties raised by the limited access to the shoreline, the risks posed to fisheries and human health via the food chain, the quantity of oil, the need for volunteers to observe damage to sea birds, the effectiveness of the initial response to the incident, the intrusion of the clean-up activities on the local community.

I understand that the refinery undertook to progress a number of action points and agreed to meet the residents again at a later date to discuss overall progress. While the affected area is important locally, it does not include any sites of known nature conservation importance, special protection areas or national heritage areas. It is continuously exposed to tidal movements and climatic conditions which should assist natural remediation of the area. It is predicted that the levels of mortality for fish life, birds or mammals will not be significant. Inter-tidal flora and fauna in a concentrated area of approximately one kilometre has been impacted. I am advised that once the clean-up is complete and natural biodegradation has occurred, the area will re-colonise naturally over time.

All beach clean-up activities have been carried out with the underlying objective of minimising further damage to the natural environment. Future planned clean-up activities will be scheduled around the tidal cycle to minimise the impact on the environment.

I note the corrective actions which have been taken by the INPC to prevent similar incidents in future. I understand the damaged section of pipe has been removed and, following consultations with the EPA inspector, a detailed metallurgical examination will be carried out to identify the failure mechanism. The results of this will determine the extent and nature of the corrective action required to prevent a recurrence. I intend to monitor the matter and address any issues relevant to my Department, particularly, in the light of the investigations initiated and currently being carried out by the responsible authorities.