John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I am disappointed because the Minister of State should examine the Sea Pollution Bill 1991. Perhaps he will clarify if there were any breaches of the legislation. We all hear about legislation being enacted, but if there are breaches of the legislation, very often there are no prosecutions or follow-up. We are all aware of the aquaculture Bill. When it comes to hazardous waste and substance, given that the Bill goes back to 1996, and was introduced in 2000, one is talking about a process of approximately 15 years. There is a difficulty with pollution in coastal areas because the bilge from ships is being discharged into estuaries. It is regrettable that the Bill is being brought through the House in 2005. While the Minister of State said the substance of the Bill was covered in the Sea Pollution Bill 1991, have there been any irregularities or prosecutions during that 14 year period? Have there been difficulties in the past 14 years where there have been breaches of the regulations and no prosecutions? Perhaps Deputy Broughan will refer to the area of aquaculture development. There have been several breaches of the regulations in this area but there have been no prosecutions, penalties or fines. While debate has taken place in the Oireachtas, it is regrettable that there is no follow-up by way of penalties and fines for breaches of the regulations.

The substance of the Bill is needed, of which section 9 is the backbone.

See this speech in context