Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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171. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 290 of 6 April 2016, if he will make available the study as referenced in the reply in which a chemical re-evaluation was carried out in 2015-16 indicating at least 85% of sediments near Smooth Point at the Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre in County Donegal is suitable for disposal at sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7469/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is referring to a project for a proposed pier extension at Smooth Point on the new pier at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre, which will require the dredging of a quantity of silt, gravel and rock. As outlined in a previous answer to Parliamentary Question Number 290 of 6 April 2016, a chemical re-evaluation of the sediments was carried out in 2015 and early 2016, as part of the current development proposal. Results currently indicate that at least 85% is suitable for disposal at sea, subject to EPA approval.

My Department intends to submit a Dumping At Sea Application to the Environmental Protection Agency in the coming months. Any material that is determined to exceed the environmental standards set for sea disposal will not be dumped at sea. Other options are being considered should this arise, including disposal on land or other remediation measures. The issue of disposal of quantities of contaminated dredge spoil is a matter which is regularly encountered in marine dredging works. A variety of appropriate solutions exist to address such situations.

The chemical re-evaluation of the sediments is part of the comprehensive Site Investigation and Report on the area to be dredged and developed at Smooth Point. While the investigation is at an advanced stage the report on the investigation is not yet complete.

The report once complete, in addition to other earlier reports, will comprise the supporting documentation to accompany the Dumping at Sea (DAS) Licence application to the Environmental Protection Agency. In accordance with the DAS legislation, the application and all associated documentation will be made publicly available and open to inspection by all interested parties.