asked the Minister for Transport and Power the present position regarding the prevention of pollution in Lough Derg and the River Shannon from north of Portumna, County Galway, where peat silt enters the river destroying fish life and wild life generally.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Pollution.
20.
Scientific evidence available so far does not confirm that peat silt entering the River Shannon and Lough Derg is seriously interfering with fish life and wild life generally.
Bord na Móna are conscious of their obligations to protect the environment and have the problems created by peat silt in rivers under constant review.
The board propose to install settling ponds to arrest the flow of peat silt and have taken other steps in connection with the execution of drainage work to reduce the movement of peat silt from bog areas into rivers.
In relation to this matter the Minister told us previously that An Foras Forbartha were investigating the situation but I have not heard of their findings. However, it has been proved that thousands of tons of peat silt are flowing into the Shannon as a result of Bord na Móna's operations in the area. Is the Minister aware of the dissatisfaction of the people in Counties Tipperary, Clare, Galway and Offaly because of the lack of initiative on the part of the Department towards eliminating the problem? Is he aware, too, of a huge meeting that was held in Portumna at which representatives of the counties I have mentioned were represented as also were Bord na Móna, the ESB, Bord Fáilte and the fishing and swimming club interests? At this meeting experts produced samples of water which proved beyond doubt the extent of this pollution in the Shannon.
May we have a brief and relevant supplementary please?
I am aware of the meeting to which the Deputy refers and I know, too, of the concern expressed. Since my responsibility is not only for Bord na Móna but for the area of tourism I am anxious that the level of pollution in any river is not such as to affect the tourism industry. However, I do not think that it has been proven scientifically yet that pollution in the Shannon or Lough Derg is caused by Bord na Móna. It must be remembered that the board have been cutting turf there for more than 30 years and that there are pollutants entering the river from other sources.
The report to which the Deputy refers, the one conducted by An Foras Forbartha, is with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries because they, too, are very concerned with the question of the preservation of fish life. If it is found that the peat is the cause of pollution in the river, Bord na Móna will do everything possible to ensure that the damage is minimised by the introduction of ponds and lagoons and by keeping, so far as possible the flow of peat within the bogs.
I wonder if it would help to commission the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to investigate the problem?
I should think that the expertise drawn on by An Foras Forbartha would be the same as that which would be availed of by the institute so that the results of both reports would be similar.
As one who attended the huge meeting in Portumna I would ask the Minister if it is to be the policy of Bord na Móna to develop settling ponds in all future areas of development? The impression at the meeting was that there was not a genuine attempt on the part of Bord na Móna to do everything possible to eliminate this problem or, at least, to minimise it as much as possible. It was emphasised that they had been remiss in this regard.
I do not wish to intrude on the Deputy but we should abide by Standing Orders in respect of questions. May we have a brief supplementary please?
I was listening to a question which continued for five minutes but I have tried to put my queries into one sentence. I do not make a practice of holding up the House but surely I am entitled to ask a supplementary?
Yes.
I am sorry if, at the meeting to which the Deputy referred, the impression was created that Bord na Móna were not doing sufficient to stop the flow of silt into the Shannon. I assure him that the board are very concerned with this matter. As the Deputy knows, they farm huge areas of turbary all over the country and they are concerned that their operations do not interfere with the amenities of the areas concerned. Besides the development of ponds and lagoons they have taken a number of other measures which are aimed at cutting down the amount of peat silt flowing into the Shannon. I trust that all of these measures will be successful.