Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hazardous Waste.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

150 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the role his Department envisages for the Irish Sea Co-ordination Group in relation to dealing with developments similar to the recent coming ashore of highly flammable phosphorous tubes at Loughshinny in Fingal and in County Louth; the degree to which his Department understand that these incidents are covered by the joint Irish-United Kingdom Memorandum of Understanding on Search, Rescue and Pollution Control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16056/98]

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

I have replied to a recent parliamentary question from Deputy John Gormley, transferred to me by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, similarly concerning the role which the Irish Sea Co-ordination Group and the joint Irish-UK Memorandum of Understanding on Search, Rescue and Pollution Control may have in relation to munitions dumpsites and the recent appearance of phosphorous devices on the east coast.

I refer the Deputy to a copy of my reply to Deputy Gormley which is to the effect that these have no role in this issue and that the existing management regime for the Beaufort Dyke dumpsite is satisfactory for dealing with the matter.