asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of any injurious effects on the health of the residents living close to the Dublin Bay area arising from the polluted odours in that area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Pollution.
4.
I have no information regarding injurious effects to the health of the residents living close to the Dublin Bay area arising out of odours of the type referred to by the Deputy.
Is it not the case that, according to a recent newspaper report, the ESB are carrying out surveys in relation to this matter? Is the Minister in a position to get this information?
I get my information from an officer of my Department and he receives it from the Dublin chief medical officer. The Dublin chief medical officer has repeatedly stated in relation to this question that he has not noticed any health hazard arising from the pollution in Dublin Bay.
In view of the fact that the ESB are carrying out these surveys would the Minister not agree that the fact that he has not got the result of those surveys for the House indicates inadequate liaison between different Government Departments and that that is something which should be rectified?
No, I am responsible for the health hazards occasioned. Questions have been asked of me on a previous occasion about the bacterial content of the water around the Dublin Bay coast at various times. Elaborate measurements were made and they were only above what was regarded as the irreducible minimum in one particular place where bathing is being discouraged. There was one other area where, for a short period, there was an excess of bacterial content in the sea water. In the other areas the bacterial content was well below what was regarded as the safety level. It is on that I have to base my decisions in regard to my communications to the Dublin Health Authority.