Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again make the distinction between the fine and costs involved in environmental clean up. The maximum fine of €3 million is for infringement of contracts entered into in respect of permit and proper safety guidelines: the €3 million is a fine if those commitments are infringed upon. There is no cap if there is an accident, there is environmental damage and there are considerable costs involved in that clean up. There is no limit in respect of the cost that should be borne in respect of the clean up. If one looks at what happened in the Gulf of Mexico, one can see that one is into entirely new territory in respect of responsibility. I want to make the distinction. The figure of €3 million is a cap on the fine for infringement and there is no limit to environmental damage.

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