asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether any examination is under way on the increase in oil pollution of beaches; whether this has been increasing in recent years; and what plans, if any, the Department has in mind to meet this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Oil Pollution of Beaches.
3.
I would refer the Deputy to my detailed reply of 16th June, 1970 to previous questions on this subject. The incidence of oil pollution around our coast is kept under constant review. While there have been three separate cases of oil pollution of beaches in the Cork harbour area in recent weeks, there has not been an increase in the number of such cases elsewhere.
Would it be correct to state that in the Minister's previous reply the position was exposed that, in fact, there is no overall body dealing with oil pollution around our coasts, there is no comprehensive section of his Department dealing with this matter on a national basis at present?
I replied to Deputy Barry on this on Tuesday, setting out the whole situation in detail. The fact is that we are now preparing the basis on which we can set up an organisation and administration to deal with precisely this problem. This is a matter for consideration by a number of Departments and it is a question of bringing in legislation to this House to decide what particular body, be it local authority or national authority, should be responsible for this particular job and how it should be financed. This is being done.
But there is no overall responsibility at the moment?
No, but at this point in time the whole question of what the Deputy has in mind is being examined with a view to establishing just such a body.
Can the Minister indicate any schedule for when this body come into existence?
The House will hear about it.
I am sure the House will hear about it.