Vol. 281 No. 5
asked the Minister for Local Government if his Department will compile in pamphlet form a summary of the discussions and recommendations emanating from the Clearance of Oil Pollution Demonstration and Conference at Bantry, County Cork, which will take place from 21st to 23rd May, 1975.
65.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange for one-day demonstrations and conferences on oil pollution clearance to be held at north-east Cork coastal centres; and if voluntary organisations involved in community activities in the area will be granted facilities to attend and participate in the conferences.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 64 and 65 together.
The South-West Regional Development Organisation are responsible for organising the demonstration and conference for oil pollution officers at Bantry and the question of preparing a summary of the proceedings is primarily a matter for consideration by that organisation. However, I am sending the Deputy's suggestion to them for consideration.
This demonstration and conference, which deals mainly with oil clearance methods and equipment, is being held for the benefit of oil pollution officers of all maritime local authorities and harbour authorities concerned and should meet their present needs in this respect. There are accordingly no proposals for the holding in the near future of further demonstrations or conferences on the subject. I might add that I have recently issued further detailed advice to maritime local authorities and harbour authorities regarding the development of their arrangements for clearance of oil pollution.
Can the Minister not acknowledge that the balance of marine life in Bantry Bay has been destroyed, and probably for many years to come, by the spillages of the past 12 months? In view of that, could he say whether his Department have any plans for the overall control of places like Bantry Bay where there is a danger of extremely heavy pollution of this kind?
The Deputy has made a general statement for which there is not enough proof——
There is a great deal of proof.
——as to whether it is correct or not. Someone should tell the fishermen down there that they are wasting their time, because they are still fishing in it. With regard to the other matter raised by the Deputy, I pointed out that we have in fact taken what we consider to be the necessary steps to avoid a recurrence and I do not propose at this time to do anything more.
I assure the Minister that I am not being contentious because I think the matter of the pollution of Bantry Bay is too important for that. There have been similar and very comparable spillages on the east coast of the United States of America in fairly recent times——
A statement —not a question.
——and in those areas, in Massachusetts, the marine life balance has not been restored.
