Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 11 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 3

Written Answers. - Dumping at Sea.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

25 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has received the report of the task force on radioactive dumping in the Irish Sea which he told the Dáil on 27 May was expected in June 1998; when the report will be published; the investigations, if any, held into claims by a retired merchant seaman that an Irish shipping company may have been involved in the dumping of toxic and possible radioactive waste in the Irish Sea in the late 1950s and early 1960s; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3802/99]

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

51 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he will publish the report of the task force on radioactive dumping. [3729/99]

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

60 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, made by the task force on radioactive dumping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3895/99]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25, 51 and 60 together.

I am advised that the Task Force on Radioactive Dumping has now completed an assessment of the radiological implications of dumping by the UK in Beaufort's Dyke, the Holyhead Deep, Liverpool Bay and Morecambe Bay, and that this will be submitted to me without delay. It is my intention to publish this assessment as a report of the task force on the radiological implications of this dumping within the next few weeks.

In relation to the allegations by a retired merchant seaman that an Irish shipping company may have been involved in the dumping of toxic and possibly radioactive waste in the Irish Sea in the late 1950s and early 1960s, representatives of the task force have met the individual concerned to discuss the matter, and officials from my Department have raised the allegations with their counterparts in the UK. Further investigations are being carried out on foot of these inquiries.