(Limerick West): Casualties such as the Kowloon Bridge and, more recently, the Tribulus have highlighted Ireland's vulnerability to threats of marine pollution. Ireland's location close to Atlantic shipping lanes and our volatile climate expose us to the possibility of having to deal with marine casualties. Our experience in recent years has made us acutely aware of the dangers and costs to the environment and the economy, through damage to the fishing, aquaculture and tourism industries of casualties at sea.
The Government are committed to preventing pollution and to responding with an immediate and efficient clean up operation to deal with any pollution which arises. We have, unfortunately, gained some practical experience in recent years and have used this experience to streamline and tighten up our response to marine emergencies. A first priority is, obviously, the protection of life on board stricken vessels. Response agencies, however, also take measures to prevent pollution and are in a state of readiness to deal with any threat of pollution which may arise.
The Department of the Marine have taken over administrative and operational responsibility for threatened pollution at sea. A marine emergency action plan is being put in place in my Department.
The plan is being used on an experimental basis and has worked very well during emergencies such as the Yarrawonga, the Toledo and the Tribulus over the last year or so. I was particularly gratified to witness the ongoing response to the casualty involving the bulk carrier, the Tribulus, which averted a possible threat to our south-west coastline. I would like to take this opportunity to put on record my appreciation of the dedication and expertise of the response team who worked over long periods, often through the night, in appalling weather conditions to subdue and control the threat of pollution from this particular casualty.
With regard to the Kowloon Bridge casualty, the total cost arising from this incident was £1.75 million, of which £1.31 million was spent on the clean-up operation and £0.44 million on the removal of oil from the ship. As attempts to reach a settlement on the insurance claim were unsuccessful, civil proceedings were issued.
In view of this, it would not be prudent to make any further statement on the matter.