Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 January 2021
32. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport if all local authorities have been formally briefed on the National Maritime Oil and HNS Spill Contingency Plan which has recently been published; and if not, if he will consider ensuring briefings are carried out with officials and council members in the coming weeks. [4732/21]
View answerIn June 2020, my Department published the National Oil & HNS Spill Contingency Plan (NCP) as required under Section 8 (1) under the Sea Pollution (Amendment) Act 1999. Within that month, my Department issued two communications in relation to the publication of this document and the statutory requirements for each Port and Local Authority under this plan. The pending establishment of the National Maritime Pollution Response Committee (NMPRC) and Consultative National Maritime Pollution Response Forum (CNMPR) in the first half of this year will also include representation of Ports and Local Authorities. Both the Committee and Forum will be key supports in the successful implementation of the national plan.
My officials have been in regular contact with the relevant organisations with regard to the future development of an online system for submission of their individual plans. Further correspondence is to issue week beginning 1st February in relation to the requirements for individual plans and the process going forward. All correspondence has been issued electronically due to the restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19.
