We have now reached Report Stage and since there are no amendments on this Stage we will proceed to Fifth Stage.
Sea Pollution (Amendment) Bill, 1998: Report and Final Stages.
Acting Chairman
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now Pass."
I thank the Deputies and particularly the spokespersons, Deputies Finucane and Bell for their assistance in getting this legislation through the House quite quickly. We had a number of amendments on Committee Stage where both Deputies contributed. Deputy Bell raised a very important detailed drafting point and the Bill was amended, at our request, to include the Dumping at Sea Act, 1996.
This is a very important Bill and gives effect to the Oil Pollution Preparedness Response and Co-operation Convention, OPRC, of 1990. The convention is designed to ensure proper arrangements are in place in the International Maritime Organisation states – IMO – to deal with emergencies that arise from oil spillages at sea. It calls for member states to have a national major emergency plan ready to deal with any of these spillages and the difficulties that result from it and provides for these plans. There is a requirement on all ships carrying oil cargo and installations producing or handling oil products to have emergency pollution plans in place for anyone becoming aware of a spillage to notify the national agency. The Irish Marine Emergency Service – IMES which was set up in 1991 as part of my Department is the designated Irish response agency and has made the necessary arrangements to give effect to the convention. However, it is necessary to provide the statutory basis for the actions by designated response agency in implementing the convention and enabling the agency to direct the preparation of emergency plans by others and to make the reporting of oil pollution incidents or potential incidents mandatory. The Bill does this and gives them the backing they need to do the important work they have undertaken. It also extends Ireland's jurisdiction for dealing with pollution from the present 12 miles limit to 200 miles, which greatly extends their area of responsibility and control. This will be particularly important to the west and south-west generally. It is a further protection of our marine environment and the valuable maritime coastal resources which are dependent on it. It also introduces very tough new penalties of up to £10 million for non-compliance. This will help to protect our marine environment for the future and in that respect it is a very important Bill.
I thank the Deputies for their constructive and helpful approach to the Bill at all stages. I look forward to bringing it to the Seanad. Unfortunately, people do not realise the volume of worthwhile work that is done where there is agreement between all the parties. I thank the spokespersons for their help.
As the Minister said we all agreed with the necessity for this Bill. When one considers that 31 billion gallons of oil are transported by sea each day we can see what could go wrong. There were certain points raised when we discussed the Bill initially. We were very progressive in regard to the introduction of legislation in this area. The major semi-State ports would have an oil pollution preparedness policy and would have the resources to deal with it. However, I was concerned about fishery harbours around the coast, which in many cases would not have the resources or suitable receptacles for oil. In many cases those harbours are under the control of local authorities, which in turn do not have the financial resources. Parallel with the introduction of legislation of this nature, it is extremely important that where local authorities do not have the financial resources that every financial encouragement and inducement is given to them to provide the resources for the harbours and ports. We are all reminded of the damage arising from previous oil spillages and its effects on the eco system for a long time. Will the Minister have his Department assess the facilities at all harbours to store oil and so on? On a previous occasion we considered the civil liability involved and prepared for such an eventuality. In the event of anything happening there is a financial mechanism which allows for appropriate compensation. We should not, however, focus exclusively on sea pollution. We must look at the inland waterways and the types of cabin cruisers used on them. What controls exist there? We do not want oil discharges along our inland waterways. In many cases financiers whose international tankers use our ports are from one country while the oil is from another. Often the crews are from Third World countries and there can be communications difficulties which can lead to potential problems.
I welcome this legislation. Proper research should be carried out into all harbours to ensure there are adequate controls and equipment so that there is at least a receptacle for those who wish to discharge oil. That will lead to an improved environment.
I join my colleague in welcoming this legislation. We were happy to co-operate with the Minister to ensure the swift passage of this Bill. I was glad the Minister took on board so many proposals on Committee Stage.
As a former member of a local authority and former chairman of a harbour authority, I have grave doubts that either would have the equipment or finance to deal with a major oil spillage. I am sure the Minister will take on board the points made by Deputy Finucane and me. We are pleased to support this legislation and hope it will pass through the Seanad quickly.
I do not know the extent to which the Minister liaises with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government because sea pollution is an issue which involves both Departments. I live in a coastal constituency and a serious problem arises from pollution caused by the inadequate funding provided to local authorities by the Department of the Environment and Local Government and, ultimately, the Department of Finance. The lack of sewage treatment plants in this State is a disgrace. The Government recently allocated £44 million, but that money was a blanket allocation, although some of it went to coastal towns and villages.
The provision of a sewage treatment plant makes an enormous difference to an area. The blue flag scheme which is overseen by the European Union classifies beaches according to the purity of the sea water. In my county only three of the numerous beaches – Counsellors Strand, Bonmahon and Clonea East – qualify for the blue flag under that scheme. A number do not qualify because raw sewage is discharged into the sea directly from septic tanks. What will the Minister do about this problem? The Minister for Tourism and Sport should also be here because this has huge implications for the tourism industry. We need a programme to ensure that every village or town with a beach has a proper sewage treatment plant. It is frightening to think that one of the largest resorts in the State, Tramore, does not have a modern sewage treatment plant. Will the Minister bear in mind the necessity for such a basic facility?
The £44 million which the Minister for the Environment and Local Government has allocated will have a huge impact on Dublin where raw sewage is pumped into the sea from the north of the city. From now on that will stop. The Minister is committed to pursuing that objective throughout the State but it is not part of this legislation, which deals with oil pollution. I will convey the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.
I agree with Deputy Deasy. The Minister made the point about Dublin. The problem is if Dublin is not affected it does not matter. If there was a sea in the middle of Dublin, there would be a sewage treatment plant to deal with the problem. Westport is a beautiful town which attracts many tourists but the sewer from the town flows into the sea, and that is outrageous. The Government should think about the west and other seaside resorts apart from Dublin. The Minister answered the question and it was "Dublin, Dublin, Dublin". That is the thinking of the Minister and the officials, and it is the reason Dana is now a Member of the European Parliament.
The money is spread throughout the State. I sympathise with Deputy Deasy. This was a major problem for the whole of the north side of Dublin. The trickles which come out elsewhere would be small in comparison to what is coming out at Howth Head at the moment. I accept that this matter is just as important in other areas. However, I hope, as does the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, that the problem in Westport and other areas will be dealt with as soon as possible.
Question put and agreed to.