Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

We will deal with the Bill expeditiously as it is short but important legislation to do with oil pollution and the measure of compensation. In the other House I was spokesman for the marine, and much legislation seemed to feature oil pollution. The first significant understanding that we had of oil pollution was probably The Kowloon Bridge in 1986, which I vividly remember, since the incident occurred off the west coast of Cork. There was much criticism on that occasion of Government inaction, and the Department of the Marine was subsequently formed.

I suppose the Department got something of a fright with the formation of the new Government as we thought we would lose the Department's title. However, the fishermen's organisations prevailed, and the marine was included in the title. I very much respect that, as the whole marine industry is a very important feature and economic plank of the country.

Cork County Council acquitted itself well on the occasion I referred to, although there was limited oil pollution. This came into play significantly with the disaster off the Spanish coastline and the damage done to Galicia, which is a very good fishing area, when 77,000 tonnes spewed out. We saw vividly on television the effect not only on the tourism potential of the coastline but on marine life in the area, as well as the long-term damage to the ecosystems there.

The Minister is quite right regarding the Princess Eva incident in Donegal and the level of preparedness, but Galway, Mayo and Donegal were designated in a 1999 report as a sensitive region regarding the potential risk of pollution. Is the Minister happy with the level of pollution preparedness in harbours around the country? This was discussed on a previous occasion. Also, do we have the equipment we would need if there was a spillage? Do we have a tug recovery vessel to suck up this oil, if necessary? I do not think we have.

The Minister's predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, promised in May 2000 that we would have a special tug involved, if we ever had a spillage in this area, which could be used for emergency towing purposes. Finance was available at the time but I do not think that tug was ever purchased. It was regarded at the time as valid to have such a tug in operation.