This is a standard section which governs the interpretation of the terms of the Bill. It also extends the area of the State for the purpose of the Bill, to include the area of the sea within 200 miles from baseline. The Bill provides for local and national oil pollution emergency plans and proposes tough new penalties of up to £10 million for non-compliance.
The Bill will make reporting of oil pollution incidents or potential incidents mandatory. Harbour authorities, ships carrying oil as cargo, operators of offshore installations, oil handling and producing facilities and, in certain circumstances, local authorities will have to put in place oil pollution emergency plans. It also extends Ireland's jurisdiction for dealing with pollution incidents from the current 12 mile limit to 200 miles. This is a vital step in the further protection of our maritime environment and the valuable maritime and coastal resources which depend on it.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service, IMES, will be designated as the national agency which will have the power to direct the preparation of these emergency plans as a statutory requirement. The individual plans will be co-ordinated with the overall national plan.
The Bill will create a framework for co-operation between IMES, harbour authorities, local authorities and the operators of oil tankers, offshore installations and oil handling facilities. Our extensive coastline makes us vulnerable to accidents involving oil pollution. The devastating effects that spillages can have on the marine and coastal environment has been made all too clear by the incidents involving the Braer and the Sea Empress. The measures in the Bill will provide strong safeguards for our seas and shoreline amenities and the communities who depend on them, in the event of any such incident.
That is the general purpose of the Bill
