Vol. 501 No. 4
67 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ammunition from the Naval Service is disposed of in the Irish Sea; if there is a record of all dumpsites; the changes, if any, he proposes to protect the marine environment from this licensed pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6319/99]
In the period from 1970 to 1994 some 1,360 tons approximately of obsolete ammunition was disposed of at sea in the Beau fort Dyke and the North Atlantic. The material consisted of small arms ammunition, bombs, depth charges, fuses, primers, shells, grenades, pyrotechnics, etc. Under the Dumping at Sea Act, 1996, such dumping is no longer permitted.
68 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the 33 bags of fertiliser being dumped into the sea at Howth; the progress, if any, being made to apprehend the perpetrator of this crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6320/99]
The alleged dumping is being investigated by my Department. I shall advise the Deputy of the outcome in due course.
