To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs whether she can give an assurance that the oil spill on the coast of Larne represents no threat to the health of residents along the East Antrim coast.

My officials have been involved with the investigation of this incident since it was reported to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on Saturday 11 June.

I am unable to give an assurance regarding the health of residents along the East Antrim Coast because it is outside the remit of my Department. I can however assure you that Mid and East Antrim Council, the Food Standards Agency and the Public Health Agency have all been kept informed of the incident to allow them to assess the consequences of the incident for their areas of responsibility.