Vol. 544 No. 5
70 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when the analytical results will be fully released regarding the brown coloured slick contained and visible in the upper Sruwaddacon Bay, County Mayo. [29352/01]
71 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the measures which have been implemented to clean up the brown coloured slick still contained and visible in the upper Sruwaddacon Bay, in County Mayo. [29353/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
I am advised that the incidence of the brown coloured slick, in the upper Sruwaddacon Bay in County Mayo, was brought to the attention of the Malin Head coast guard which reported the matter to the Department's marine rescue co-ordinating centre. The MRCC in turn contacted Mayo County Council who carried out an investigation at the time and reported that there was no indication that it was harmful.
My Department is advised that the Environmental Protection Agency carried out analysis of a number of samples which it received from a local radio station. The samples were more than 35 hours old which is the cut off point for the EPA to stand over its analysis. The analysis indicated substantial oxidisable material present in the samples which would indicate the presence of organic matter but it was not possible to identify whether it emanated from land or sea. Details of the results may be obtained by contacting the EPA in Castlebar. There have been no reports of any further problems in the area.
No action is necessary is relation to measures taken to clean up the brown slick as it has been broken by the sea action and dissipated. There have been no further reports of any problems in the area.
