asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has powers under the recent oil disposal agreement to prevent the discharge of harmful substances into the River Liffey, above and at the Ringsend estuary, by factories and laundries and the Gas Works, which discharge is considered to be one of the major factors responsible for reducing the value and yield of the fishing industry in that district.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Discharge of Harmful Substances into Liffey.
Under the Oil Pollution of the Sea Act, 1956, which is to come into operation on the 1st November, 1957, the discharge of oil or oily mixtures from a vessel or from a place on land, into the territorial seas and the inland waters navigable by seagoing vessels, is prohibited. Proceedings in respect of oil pollution of harbour waters would normally be taken by the harbour authority. I have no function in relation to the pollution of waters by substances other than oil, but the discharge of matter deleterious to fish is, I understand, prohibited by various Fisheries Acts.