Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 20 Jun 1990

Vol. 400 No. 2

Written Answers. - Waste Dumping.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

32 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for the Marine the total tonnage of waste from Irish sources dumped at sea during 1989; the anticipated level of dumping for 1990; the proposals, if any, he has to end this dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Marine (Mr. Wilson)

A total of 450,000 tonnes of industrial waste was dumped at sea during 1989 under permits issued by my Department. It is estimated that a similar amount will be dumped during 1990.

The procedures for the regulation of dumping at sea in the north-east Atlantic are governed by the Oslo Convention to which Ireland is a contracting party. In June last year the Oslo Commission met in Dublin and adopted a decision to cease the dumping of industrial waste in the North Sea by 31 December 1989, and in the rest of the convention area by 31 December 1995 unless it could be shown that: (i) there are not practical alternatives for disposal on land, and (ii) the waste caused no harm to the marine environment.

At present three Irish based companies have been authorised to dump industrial waste at sea. One of the companies hopes to have phased out dumping early next year. The other two companies are undertaking feasibility studies this year with a view to developing land-based alternatives at the earliest possible date.