Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Transport if his Department anticipates that the oil spill off America's Gulf Coast will damage Irish waters and coastlines; if he will outline any pertinent contingency and response measures that have been developed by his Department or the National Emergency Co-ordinating Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25486/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is anticipated that the oil spill off America's Gulf Coast will not damage Irish waters and coastlines as the possibilities that it will reach our shores are considered remote and normal chemical processes when oil meets water would nullify further significant distribution beyond the current area of the incident.

Under the Sea Pollution Act 1991 as amended every Local, Port and Harbour Authority is required to prepare oil and hazardous and noxious substance Contingency Plans and to submit them to the Department of Transport for approval. The Coast Guard on behalf of the Department facilitate training every year in oil spill response and clean-up procedures.

The National Emergency Coordination Centre is managed by the Office of Emergency Planning and would facilitate any inter-Departmental emergency meetings if required.