Apart from the question of oil pollution, have we, under existing legislation, the power to deal with other forms of pollution in our territorial waters?

(Cavan): It is not my wish to rely on technicalities as the Deputies opposite have been very co-operative in giving me all Stages of the Bill today. However, strictly speaking, we can talk only of what is in the Bill. Regarding the question of other poisonous materials, there are regulations within the Department dealing with the carriage of deleterious goods in ships and the Department of Fisheries, too, have power to control this activity.

By virtue of Article 23.2. of the Constitution this Bill is deemed to have been initiated in the Dáil and will be sent to the Seanad.

Business suspended at 1.30 p.m. and resumed at 2.30 p.m.