Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 5

Written Answers. - Dumping at Sea.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

14 Mr. Stagg 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, expected in June 1998; if so, when the report will be published; the investigations, if any, held into 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8567/99]

Alan Shatter

Question:

33 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the report on the task force on radioactive dumping in the Irish Sea, which was to be published in June 1998, will be published. [8021/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 33 together.

I understand that the task force had largely completed its work but that submission of its report for publication was deferred pending its investigation at my request of the claims which were made by the retired seafarer.

The task force specifically commissioned an assessment of the radiological implications of the dumped material which was carried out on its behalf by the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland and University College, Dublin. I am advised that members of the task force are considering the possibility of publishing the findings of this assessment in advance of making a final report. I hope that the matter can be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.