Vol. 516 No. 4
34 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received any reports from the Spanish or Dutch authorities on the circumstances of the collision between two vessels off the Aran Islands on 2 January 2000 which resulted in an oil pollution scare; if the cost of the pollution has been established and presented to the owners of the FV Friesland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8193/00]
The Marine Survey Office of my Department has been in contact with both the Spanish and Dutch authorities and have asked to be kept informed of the outcome of their respective investigations into this collision. This contact will be maintained to ensure that any reports issued by these authorities will be transmitted to me as soon as they are completed.
The costs incurred in the pollution response to this incident amount to £14,908.55 and my Department has requested the owners of the FV Friesland to refund this to the Exchequer through my Department.
