asked the Minister for Fisheries if he is aware that local fishermen claim that considerable ecological damage has been caused by toxic effluent from the fish factory at Rossaveal, Connemara, County Galway, thus destroying an important part of their livelihood, namely, the sea-weed and shell-fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Rossaveal (County Galway) Fish Factory .
2.
: I am not aware of any such claim by the local fishermen but the methods of effluent disposal from the fish processing and fishmeal plants in Rossaveal are at present being reexamined by my Department.
If as a result of the re-examination the fisheries interest requires any modification in the methods of effluent disposal the owners would be obliged by statute to have them carried out.
: Is the Minister dependent on people like us to draw his attention to this kind of thing along the west coast which, as he knows, has the finest and clearest water in the world probably? Has he any organisation which is continually monitoring the waters in regard to this kind of thing now that we have Asahi, Alcan and other people? Is there a special organisation within the Government or any other organisation whose job it is to do this?
: I agree with the Deputy's concern about this area which was neglected over the years. Under the new Control of Pollution Act, which is law since last year, water pollution officers are being appointed by local authorities throughout the country to deal with this matter. We hope that that machinery will work.