Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 4

Written Answers. - Dumping at Sea.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

102 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he recently received a report into dumping in the Irish Sea, particularly in the area of the Beaufort Dyke; the actions, if any, his Department has set in train as a consequence of receiving that report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14308/98]

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

As a result of a number of phosphorous devices being washed up along the east coast, the Army authorities have prepared, at my request, a report on the matter which has been presented to the UK Defence Attaché for transmission to the UK Secretary of State for Defence. I have personally been in contact with the relevant UK Ministers and I have directed my officials to work closely with the UK authorities to discover the reason for the reappearance of such devices along our coastline.

The Deputy will recall I established the task force on the Dumping of Radioactive Materials in the Maritime Area last year in the wake of revelations by the UK authorities that radioactive waste had been dumped in the Beaufort Dyke in the North Irish Sea and at a number of other locations around the coast of Britain during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. I understand the preparation of the task force report is at an advanced stage and I expect to receive it shortly.