I am most concerned about the illegal oil spillage at the weekend. I am determined to ensure that every effort is made to track down whoever is responsible for this appalling act of vandalism. This Government is committed to the "polluter pays" principle whereby persons responsible for pollution are liable for the costs associated with it. The penalties for pollution at sea range from £1,000 to £10 million depending on the seriousness of the crime.
Ireland is party to the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund — IOPCF — a world-wide intergovernmental organisation set up to provide compensation for pollution damage resulting from oil spills from tankers. The IOPCF operates within the framework of two international Conventions, namely, the 1969 International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage — known as the CLC convention — and the 1971 International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Compensation for Oil Pollution Damage — known as the Fund Convention.
The CLC Convention deals with the liability of shipowners for pollution damage. This convention lays down the principle of strict liability for shipowners and creates a system of compulsory liability insurance. The shipowner is normally entitled to limit his liability to an amount which is linked to the tonnage of his ship. The Fund Convention, which is supplementary to the CLC Convention, establishes a system of compensation for victims when the compensation under the CLC Convention is inadequate. In cases where the polluter cannot be identified but where it can be proven to the satisfaction of the IOPCF that the pollution has been caused by a tanker, the IOPCF will pay compensation.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service of my Department was notified of a possible oil pollution incident near the Burford Bank in Dublin Bay. IMES immediately activated the oil spill response contingency plan. There is an emergency plan for dealing with oil pollution incidents and that is co-ordinated by IMES. I will explain how that was activated over the weekend. All relevant agencies were advised of the report. The Air Corps was requested to deploy a helicopter to survey the area. Following confirmation that an oil spillage had occurred all relevant local and harbour authorities were asked to activate their contingency plans and to report on the extent of the pollution in their areas of responsibility.
Because no report of accidental oil discharge had been received it must be assumed the pollution resulted from an illegal discharge which had occurred during the night of 20-21 October. Using computer modelling and tracing the path of the discharge, IMES estimated the possible area within which the discharge had taken place and endeavoured to contact any vessels which might have been in the area during the night. A marine notice was issued requesting all shipping to report any sighting of oil pollution. Dublin Air Traffic Control was requested to have all passing aircraft monitor the area.
IMES arranged a meeting of all response agencies and interested parties which included Dublin Corporation, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, the harbour authorities, the Irish Wildbird Conservancy and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Aerial surveillance missions on Saturday by IMES revealed a number of pollution spots at sea and on the coastline from Howth to Killiney. Further aerial surveillance missions on Sunday revealed only one oily patch at sea, south of Bray Head. Much of what was originally thought to have been oil at sea and on the coastline was in fact dark, harmless algae, and the remainder of the oil appeared to have dispersed.
Inspections on the shoreline on Sunday by IMES and Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council revealed minor oil pollution at Coliemore Harbour, Bullock Harbour, Dún Laoghaire Coal Harbour and Killiney Beach. In Dún Laoghaire, the western corner of the coal harbour was boomed and the contaminated material removed. Notices were placed at the beaches at Vico, Killiney, Corbawn and Quinn's Point advising the public of the possibility of oil contamination. Up to 600 oiled birds have been recovered for treatment. This aspect of the response was co-ordinated by the Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.
Dublin Port and Docks Board has reported no trace of oil in Dublin Port. Onshore inspections carried out by the local authorities reveal that no further oil has come ashore and that very little residue is left in the affected areas. The affected areas are being cleared by natural process and no intervention has been required.
Samples of the oil pollution have been taken by the Fisheries Research Centre of the Marine Institute which can be used for prosecution purposes if the identification of the polluter can be ascertained. IMES and the local authorities are continuing to monitor the situation on the beaches and at sea. I will keep this matter under close review. I assure the Deputy I will do everything in my power to ensure that the individuals responsible for this crime will be brought to justice.
The Dáil adjourned at 5.15 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 October 1996.
