Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - Dumping at Sea.

Liz McManus

Question:

54 Ms McManus asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received the report of the task force on radioactive dumping in the Irish Sea, which he told Dáil Éireann on 27 May 1998 was expected in June; when he will publish the report; if his attention has been drawn to claims by a retired merchant seaman that an Irish shipping company may have been involved in the dumping of toxic and possibly radioactive waste in the Irish Sea in the late 1950s and early 1960s; the investigations, if any, which he is making into these claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21868/98]

Ivor Callely

Question:

106 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, of the task force on radioactive dumping in the Irish Sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22020/98]

John Gormley

Question:

126 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to reports in a newspaper (details supplied) of claims by a retired merchant seaman that he and colleagues unwittingly dumped toxic and possibly radioactive waste which emanated from the Windscale nuclear reprocessing plant into the Irish Sea near Holyhead while crewing vessels (details supplied); if he will give this matter his urgent attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22148/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 106 and 126 together.

I am aware of the claims by a retired merchant seaman that an Irish shipping company may have been involved in the dumping of toxic and possibly radioactive waste in the Irish Sea in the late 1950s and early 1960s. I welcome the fact that he has now decided to put this information in to the public domain. I have asked the task force on radioactive dumping to speak to him with a view to determining the nature, quantity and location of the materials allegedly dumped and to take account of his information in preparing its final report. Deputy Gormley raised this matter previously but a lack of detailed information made the investigation of this particular allegation difficult to pursue. I asked Deputy Gormley to provide me with any information he had which would assist in the investigation but he appears to have been unable to do so. The action of this retired seaman in coming forward now will make such an investigation possible. Furthermore, I would encourage anyone with any similar information to make it available. I would hope to use such information as the basis for a fresh approach to the UK authorities.

I expect to receive the report of the task force as soon as it has had an opportunity to assess this new information. As I have previously indicated, it is my intention to publish the report of the task force.