The Marine and Natural Resources Minister, Dr Michael Woods, rejected a claim by Ms Madeleine Taylor-Quinn (FG) that authorisation for a controversial navigation mast as high as the Eiffel Tower could be "flipped through" the Dail and Seanad. He also denied there was what he termed creeping militarism behind the project.
The Minister gave an undertaking that any draft order empowering the Commissioner of Irish Lights to operate a Loran C system mast at Loop Head would have to be approved by both the Dail and Seanad.
Opening the debate on the Merchant Shipping Commissioners of Irish Lights Bill 1997, Dr Woods said this State was bound by an international agreement to provide a Loran C mast and ancillary facilities in the west of Ireland as an integral part of the North West European Loran C system.
The commissioners had been unable to proceed with the project over the last three years because of protracted legal proceedings. He was aware of concerns that the system posed a threat to health and represented a damaging environmental intrusion. He was also aware that it might be considered to be already obsolete.
Because of the concerns that had been expressed he had decided to carry out a fundamental review of the project. This process would allow for all issues to be aired comprehensively.
The consultations would attempt to elicit the international view on current needs in the maritime safety area, medium to long term developments and requirements in the area of radio-based navigation aids and, in particular in that context, the case for a land-based complement to support a space-based system.
The views and concerns of the people of the Kilbaha area in Loop Head and of people in general concerned with such installations would be given no less a hearing. In the meantime, he had directed that no further work be carried out on the project pending these consultations.
Ms Taylor-Quinn said it was proposed to erect a "monstrosity" as high as the Eiffel Tower in an area of great beauty. She appreciated that the Minister had said he would look at the matter seriously. But her party would be seeking to have the Bill amended.
Dr Woods had undertaken that the project would not go ahead without the approval of the Oireachtas. She did not find this satisfactory, because ministerial orders could be slipped through either House very quickly without adequate debate. The message that must be got across was that a Loran C mast would never be built on Loop Head.
Mr David Norris (Ind) said he welcomed anything designed to enhance the safety of shipping but he strongly suspected the involvement of military interests in the whole Loran C project.
The Minister had stated that the Commissioners of Irish Lights could, with his consent, operate with other agencies, including a competent authority of another jurisdiction or an international organisation in relation to the provision or operation of radio navigation systems.
This clearly implied a series of military alliances with other European powers or with NATO. "I am not happy we should be involved in this kind of thing at all".
Dr Woods also said the Attorney-General's Office had advised that to purport to exclude Loran C from the scope of the Commissioners' powers could be interpreted to be at variance with our obligations under an international agreement, and that the Department of Foreign Affairs had advised that such a step could damage our international standing.
Mr Joe O'Toole (Ind) welcomed the Minister's commitment which, he said, would be well received by the people of west Clare and beyond.
The Bill passed the second stage.