Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
234. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the persons responsible for the monitoring and clean-up of pollution incidents in fishery harbour centres; the level of incidence that requires a clean-up in the event of a fish kill or wash-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36563/14]
View answerPursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine owns and directly manages six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Ros an Mhíl, Killybegs and Dingle/An Daingean. The Harbour Master at each harbour is responsible for the day to day operations of the harbour to which he has been appointed and his functions include ensuring compliance with application of all rules and regulations applicable to the Fishery Harbour Centres generally.
All pollution incidents, including fish spills or wash ups are a matter of concern to my Department. In the event of a pollution incident at a Fishery Harbour Centre, the matter is brought to the attention of my Department by the relevant Harbour Master, and an investigation and appropriate remedial action is undertaken. The level and nature of response is governed by the type and scale of the pollution in question, and can involve a co-ordinated multi agency approach.
