asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the features of the environment in the context of pollution which are dealt with in his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Pollution.
24.
My Department have statutory control under the Fisheries Acts over pollution of the environment in relation to fish-bearing waters. The Department, of course, take all practical measures, through their farm buildings grants scheme and through the agricultural advisory services, to ensure that effluent from farm buildings such as silos and piggeries does not cause pollution of water resources. In accordance with the budget announcement of new anti-pollution incentives, arrangements have also been made to bring into operation from 1st August next a scheme of grants towards the purchase of slurry disposal equipment.
May I ask the Minister the number of inspectors employed to look into this aspect of it?
About eight.
Would the Minister think they would be sufficient?
I just would not know.
As the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, would the Minister not accept that he was responsible for the polluted condition of the river Tolka and for the number of fish that have been destroyed there over the last few weeks?
It depends to some extent on the source of the pollution.
Am I to take it from what the Minister says that he is interested only in the fish and in the means by which they are polluted?
No, but it could be the responsibility of another Minister.
Could I ask the Minister in so far as he is concerned with the prevention of pollution, and for buildings or structures, what qualifications have the inspectors who are charged with this responsibility?
I assume that they have appropriate qualifications for the job for which they were employed.
Which job are they employed for?
To control the pollution.
Are they in charge of farm buildings or pollution?
Both go together. They have responsibility in connection with farm effluent.
Could the Minister inquire whether in all cases such structures or buildings as are being built, before they have been approved, must be referred to these eight inspectors whom the Minister has indicated exist at the moment, and whether they are fully qualified? Are the eight inspectors capable of examining all farm buildings applications from the point of view of preventing pollution?
It is a question of estimating the quantities of effluent from a given number of livestock and how to control and confine that. I do not think one would require any particular qualifications in order to make such estimates.
Would the Minister say how many, if any, prosecutions have been taken in the past 12 months?
I am afraid I cannot supply that information.
On the question of the erection of piggeries, will the Minister confirm that I am right in my understanding that if a piggery is erected a certain distance from the main road planning permission is not required, and that the only prohibiting power the Minister has is that of refusing to give a grant if the piggery does not conform to what he thinks is correct in regard to pollution? Has the Minister any other powers at his disposal, such as licensing, which would enable him to prevent the erection of piggeries which are clearly going to be a source of pollution in the future?
No, except if a person is looking for a grant.
I know about the grants.
If a person does not require a grant, the Deputy is right in saying that he can go ahead and put up a farm building, but the sanitary authority have power to come in.
The Minister's power is restricted to refusing the grant?
Yes.
Does the Minister not agree that, while the question of pollution from establishments like pig-feeding units is very severe, there is a tendency on the part of the public and a good many people to distort the amount of river pollution which is caused by farm animals? A far greater degree of pollution is caused by industrial projects of one type or another.
In view of the lack of power, has the Minister any intention of taking power to control the pollution caused by piggeries?
There is a sufficient measure of control at the moment, because the sanitary authority have power to move in if a nuisance is being created.
Is the Minister aware——
We must pass on to the next question. Deputies are extending altogether the scope of this question.
We are still on piggeries and pollution caused by them.
The Chair has given a lot of latitude on this question. We must pass on to the next question.