Vol. 259 No. 4
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs why the Government was not a signatory to the International Convention in Oslo which was designed to end dumping of poisonous waste by ships and aircraft into parts of the North Atlantic Ocean; and if it is the intention of his Department that Ireland subscribe to the Convention at a later date.
19.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs how it is proposed to protect marine life in Irish waters which are exposed to foreign dumping of poisonous waste on the high seas.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to reply to Questions Nos. 18 and 19 together.
The Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft was adopted subsequent to the Oslo Conference and is not yet in operation. It is at present being examined by the Departments concerned to see whether Ireland can become a party to it. It remains open for signature until 15th August next.
The Oslo Convention, if it should come into force, would afford a limited protection to our marine life against the dumping of some poisonous wastes on the high seas. Protection on a more comprehensive scale can only be achieved by international agreements, such as those being sought in the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organisation and which have our support.
Is the Minister aware that of the countries that were asked to sign this Oslo Convention, 12 have already done so and that Ireland is left in doubtful company, being the only country along with the Soviet Union and Poland that has not subscribed to the Convention? Is it the Minister's intention to see that Ireland subscribes to this Convention within the six months period allowed?
I can assure the Deputy that if the Departments concerned show that we are in a position to accept the Convention and to implement it it will be signed. I cannot go further at this stage.
The Soviet Union, Poland and Ireland are the only three countries who have not signed.
Has it anything to do with the recent friendship established with the Soviet Union?
No. There is no question of pollution in that.
20.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will indicate the international conventions to which Ireland has subscribed in regard to the pollution of the sea; if the Government is contemplating subscribing to any other conventions; and if he will outline the effect of each of these conventions.
Ireland has ratified the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954. The purpose of that Convention is to reduce the risk of pollution of the sea by oil discharged from ships.
There are three other Conventions dealing with different aspects of pollution of the sea by oil. The International Convention relating to Intervention on the High Seas in cases of Oil Pollution Casualties, 1969, enables a coastal State to intervene and take measures to protect its coastal and other related interests whenever a casualty, which threatened oil pollution, occurs. The other Conventions concerned are the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, and the International Convention of the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage, 1971. These latter Conventions are concerned with the determination of liability for oil pollution damage and the provision of adequate compensation in such cases. The preparation of the necessary legislation to enable this country to ratify these three Conventions is in hands.
In addition to the aforementioned Conventions on pollution of the sea by oil, a Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping from Ships and Aircraft was recently opened for signature at Oslo. As indicated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs in his reply today to a Parliamentary Question on that particular Convention, the question of ratifying it is being examined in my Department and the other Departments concerned.
Can the Minister state if it will be possible to bring in legislation to cover all four Conventions simultaneously if we decide to ratify the Oslo Convention also?
Yes.
Questions Nos. 21 and 22 postponed.
