To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs what action the Northern Ireland Environment Agency is taking to mitigate the damage from the recent oil spill at Larne.

As the product discharged from the Caterpillar NI factory in Larne was diesel and it was released into the sea there is very little that can practically be done to clean it up as it spreads so quickly. Once released the behaviour of this light oil is influenced by the wind and tide and at this stage it would be expected that at least 50% of the product will have evaporated (hence the strong smell associated with such spills) and the rest will be broken down by natural dispersion and biodegradation. The biggest risk to the environment is through certain toxic chemicals dissolving in the water column but even this should be limited in the marine environment because of the massive dilution and strong tidal movements.