John Gormley
Ceist:112 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if the Naval Service is equipped to deal with pollution problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4577/99]
Written Answers. - Oil Pollution.
John Gormley
Ceist:113 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if the Naval Service is equipped with skimmers to deal with pollution problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4579/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 113 together.
The Irish Marine Emergency Service – IMES – of the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources has overall responsibility for all aspects of oil pollution of the sea and coastal areas. One of the tasks assigned by Government to the Defence Forces is to provide, when requested, assistance in the area of pollution control at sea. The Naval Service maintains a number of maxi-kits at the Naval Base, Haulbowline, which can be deployed on board Naval Service vessels and used to spray dispersants on oil slicks if requested to do so by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources. Dispersants can be pumped through spray nozzles on booms, which can project from the side of Naval Service ships, and be mixed with the oil on the surface of the water through trailing otter-boards. This action has the effect of breaking up the oil. In addition the Naval Service has a number of floating booms which can be deployed around a vessel in order to contain an oil leak.
While the Naval Service is not equipped with oil skimmers, such equipment is available to the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources.