Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 January 2017
1371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been informed of reports of an incident of pollution having recently occurred at a coastal location (details supplied); the impact this incident has had on the local environment; the remedial clean-up measures that have been taken at the pollution site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41473/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968 (as amended), my Department owns and directly manages the six state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres including that located at Killybegs.
All pollution incidents are a matter of concern to my Department. In the event of a pollution incident at a Fishery Harbour Centre, the matter is brought to the attention of my Department by the relevant Harbour Master. An investigation and appropriate remedial action is undertaken. The level and nature of response is governed by the type and scale of the pollution in question, and can involve a co-ordinated multi agency approach.
On the morning of the 30th November 2016, the Harbour Master at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre reported the presence of an oil scum on the surface of water within the harbour.
The Coast Guard at Killybegs was notified and an inspection of the harbour was carried out. This included quay sides, vessels and the sewage outfall. The inspection deemed the fuel to be of a diesel nature. No source for the release was identified. The surface scum had evaporated and dispersed by the afternoon.
