asked the Minister for Transport and Power the conditions, if any, laid down by him in relation to Gulf Oil operations at Whiddy Island; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gulf Oil Operations.
34.
Since the establishment of the Gulf Oil terminal in Bantry Bay was first considered, close consideration has been given at all stages to the operating procedures and safeguards which the company should adopt so as to ensure safety of navigation and reduce the risk of oil pollution to a minimum. When the terminal was opened in 1968 detailed operating arrangements to this end were indicated to, and accepted by, Gulf on whom the responsibility rested. The adequacy of these arrangements has been the subject of frequent consultation with Gulf over the years and the arrangements themselves have been reviewed with the company from time to time in the light of working experience.
Following the spillage from the SS Universe Leader in Bantry Bay in October, 1974, improved procedures for handling oil, recommended by my technical advisers, were accepted by Gulf Oil and put into operation. These procedures relate mainly to inspection and control measures.
Following the spillage in January, 1975, from the SS Afran Zodiac which, was due to defective fendering on one of the tug-boats in attendance on the tanker, I arranged, with the full co-operation of Gulf Oil, for temporary operating restrictions pending the provision of satisfactory fendering on the tug-boats These requirements were that—
(a) substantial supplementary padding should be provided on the tug-boats pending redesign of the tug-boats fendering;
(b) the tug-boats should be inspected before each operation;
(c) tug-boats operations should be carried out only in fair weather conditions.
The day-to-day implementation of these requirements is a matter for Gulf Oil who do not consider them unreasonable in the circumstances.
Gulf Oil have every incentive to expedite provision of the new fendering on the tug-boats and I have every confidence that they will do so in the shortest possible time.
What precisely does the Minister mean by fair weather conditions?
That is a broad question.
The Deputy must know all about stormy weather in the Fianna Fáil Party.
Order.
Cool water.
What is meant by fair weather in this context is that the pilot who is taking the ship out must accept responsibility for moving the ship from the berth if he considers weather conditions are above what would normally be safe—it is a bit technical inasmuch as the pilot is the person responsible for moving the ship.
What wind force is laid down?
There is no wind force and no wave height laid down by my Department.
Therefore, the Minister is making a denial here that he made any statement to the effect that force 3 or force 4 winds are dangerous in relation to the unloading of tankers?
There has been no wind force laid down by my Department.
Question No. 35.
The Deputy has wrong information.
I think it is the Government Information Service again.
Let us get on with Question Time.
A Cheann Comhairle, this is a report in the newspapers.
Let us proceed with Question Time in an orderly fashion.
Might I interrupt the Deputy? The Government Information Service did not put out such a statement.
Who did?
I do not know but the Government Information Service did not. Let us be clear about that.
This is leading to an argument.
Is the Minister aware that because of the report that was issued and generally because of the Minister's handling of the whole affair four tankers that were scheduled to come to Bantry within the last week have not come?
No, I am not.
Well, then, the Minister is not very well informed.
I am well informed. I should say that these are temporary arrangements pending the refendering of the tugs. They have been put in there with the acceptance and co-operation of the Gulf Oil Company. They are quite satisfied that they are necessary in the circumstances.
Is it not a fact that the Minister has had very bad and wrong advice from somebody——
This must be the Deputy's final supplementary.
——either in his Department or elsewhere? Is the Minister aware that this is having the effect of endangering employment in Bantry and, as I see it, has the effect also of cancelling——
The Deputy is repeating himself.
It will also have the effect of causing a severe loss of income to the people of Bantry.
Not at all. The Deputy is very misinformed about it.
I am afraid the Minister is not being informed.
When the Deputy asks a question he ought to listen to the answer.
If the Chair would stop interrupting, we might be able to hear. The Minister is living in his ivory tower up here and does not know what is going on.
Perhaps the Deputy might listen to the Ceann Comhairle more often.
Who is doing all the interrupting?
The Minister might tell us. The Minister is living in his ivory tower and does not know what is going on.
Let us get on to Question No. 35.
I have said this umpteen times. The Gulf Oil terminal, to my mind, is of benefit to this country. I think the employment it gives in the area is very welcome. But there are other people getting their livelihood from that area, fishermen and tourism interests, and their interests must be protected as well. There is no point in destroying the livelihoods of two sets of people because the conditions under which unloading of oil is carried out endanger it. It is quite possible that they can live together and all progress together. But one of them cannot advance at the expense of the other two.
Question No. 35. I have called the next question.
Has the Minister had any complaints from fishermen or anybody else in the Bantry area?
No, I have not. That is what I am saying.
No complaints from either the fishermen or——
Next question, please.
(Interruptions.)
Did the Minister refuse to meet a deputation from the people in Bantry at any time?
No, not at any time.
(Interruptions.)
The Chair has called the next question on a number of occasions. Will the Chair please be obeyed?