§ Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence there is of changes in sea current activity in the Irish sea over the last four years.
§ Mr. MacGregorThe main evidence on currents in the Irish sea comes from measurements of concentrations of caesium made by my Department's fisheries radiobiological laboratory. Caesium is a mobile element which moves with the water and is therefore a good indicator of current flows.
For the period from 1970 to 1976 the flow rate through the Irish sea was relatively low, but there was an increase in 1977. In 1981 the currents through the Irish sea reverted to the low flow rate which existed before 1977. However, during 1982 the flow again increased.