asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if, when introducing the promised legislation to ratify the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, and the International Convention on the Establishment of an International Fund for Oil Pollution Damage 1971, the legislation will be made retrospective to safeguard the claims of fishermen, tourism interests, and any others who suffered losses as a result of the recent pollution.

The legislation to enable this country to become a contracting party to the two conventions in question will not be made retrospective. I am advised that the conventions themselves cannot be applied retrospectively and that our domestic law does not need to be made retrospective as claims for compensation for losses suffered as a result of the recent oil pollution are adequately protected by existing law.

Does that pertain even if the offending party happens to be from a foreign State?

The Deputy is aware that there are two funds, the TOVALOP and CRISTAL schemes, from which the money can be made available.

Even on an international basis? Is the Minister aware that the funds became exhausted in the case of the Amoco Cadiz disaster?

My information in relation to it is that the money is there and the fund provides for payment up to 36 million dollars for any single pollution incident.