asked the Minister for the Environment if he is satisfied that the level of pollution in the Dollymount area, Dublin, particularly the Bull Wall, does not constitute a health hazard to bathers and boating enthusiasts.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Pollution.
1.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has investigated specifically the level of pollution at Dollymount, Dublin, particularly at the Bull Wall; the date of such investigation; and the results.
3.
asked the Minister for the Environment the date on which the highest level of pollution was recorded in Dublin Bay; the actual level recorded; and the measures taken to deal with this situation.
4.
asked the Minister for the Environment the most recent date on which the waters in Dublin Bay were monitored for pollution; and the results of the tests carried out.
5.
asked the Minister for the Environment the scientific process whereby the pollution levels in Dublin Bay are measured and monitored; and if the methods used are similar to those used in other EEC states.
6.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is satisfied that pollution levels at Dollymount, Dublin do not constitute a health hazard.
7.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is aware of the apprehension among bathers at the Bull Wall, Dollymount, Dublin, regarding the level of pollution at this popular resort; and the steps he proposes to take to allay this legitimate anxiety.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7 together.
On a point of order, this is a large number of questions to take together. They are quite distinct questions. This is most unusual. When Mr. Burke was Minister for Education something like this happened and the then Opposition kicked up a row. This is a discourtesy to the House.
How the Minister answers his questions is a matter for him. The Chair has no function in the matter.
The most recent water quality measurements in Dublin Bay as a whole were part of a study commissioned jointly by Dublin Corporation, the ESB and the Dublin Port and Docks Board. This study was completed two years ago. While I am not in a position to give the date or other specific detail of any measurements taken during the course of the survey, the main conclusion of the report on the survey was that the bay, apart from its inner harbour, was in good condition.
As to the Dollymount area, it is important to distinguish between Dollymount Strand and the harbour side of the Bull Wall. The beach area at Dollymount is one of six representative locations around our coast at which monitoring is currently being carried out for the purpose of the EEC Directive on Bathing Water Quality. The results of monitoring to date show that water quality at this location is very much higher than the standards sought in the directive. The scientific process whereby pollution levels are monitored is dictated by the terms of the directive. It involves a number of water quality parameters which must be checked regularly during the bathing season. The monitoring process is a uniform one for all member states.
The harbour side of the Bull Wall does not come within the scope of the EEC directive as it is not apparently frequented by a large number of bathers. However, the biological standards of the directive would not be met at this location and Dublin Corporation have recently erected a notice advising the public against bathing on the harbour side.
The question of health risk associated with bathing in contaminated sea water has been the subject of much detailed study and the conclusions, I understand, have been that the risk is negligible and that it is largely a question of amenity rather than health.
Apart from the Minister's assurance that pollution levels at Dollymount do not exceed the health hazards parameters, would he endeavour to reduce the instances of visible pollution at this popular resort which could be described justifiably as the working man's Riviera?
Dollymount is one of six representative locations around the Irish coastline where sampling for the purpose of the EEC directive on the quality of bathing water was carried out. The results of monitoring at this location during the 1978 bathing season indicated that the quality of the water is well within the high values in the directive, that is, the mandatory standards which must be observed. The bathing beaches in the Dublin coastal resorts have been the subject of a continuous bacteriological monitoring programme by the Eastern Health Board for the past two years.
Was the Minister's attention drawn to the report about the very serious pollution in the Irish Sea from industrial processes including nuclear processes? In particular, has he studied the implications of the Parker Report?
The Deputy is getting away from the Bull Wall.
It is very important that we should know whether the Minister has studied the Parker Report.
A joint survey of the river Liffey and Dublin Bay carried out on behalf of Dublin Corporation, the ESB and the Dublin Port and Docks Board was published in 1976. One of the significant findings of the report was that the Liffey estuary has very little effect on Dublin Bay as a whole, and that a strong clockwise current continually flushing the bay maintains the highwater quality standard.
Could the Minister tell me what steps he is taking about the heavy pollution at the inner harbour area?
May I ask the Minister——
Could I have a reply?
It might facilitate the Minister if he could reply to both of us together.
The Minister may reply to a number of questions.
Would the Minister have a detailed departmental investigation made into the conditions on Dollymount strand? While the standard obtaining there may meet the EEC requirements it is far removed from the standard which should apply in this land of ours. Fortunately we still have some beaches which are envied elsewhere.
In reply to Deputy Collins, a survey of the river side of the Bull Wall at Dollymount, which I am sure is the place he is referring to, has shown that the water quality is not satisfactory. The Bull Wall bathing place is not frequented by a large number of bathers and consequently does not come within the scope of the EEC Directive on Bathing Water Quality. It is used now only by a minority of diehards, and Dublin Corporation recently erected a notice there advising the public not to bathe on the river side of the Bull Wall.
I referred specifically to the inner harbour which the Minister admitted was polluted. Obviously it is heavily polluted, and I want to know what action the Minister is taking to change that situation.
The Deputy is referring to that part of the harbour at the mouth of the Liffey?
The inner harbour as a whole.
A joint survey of the river Liffey and Dublin Bay was carried out on behalf of Dublin Corporation, the ESB and the Dublin Port and Docks Board. One of the most significant findings of the report was that the Liffey estuary has very little effect on Dublin Bay as a whole and a strong clockwise current continually flushing the bay maintains high water quality standards. In reply to Deputy Blaney's supplementary, at the moment we are working within the ambit of the EEC directive. Except for one area, the quality of the bathing water is very much above the standard laid down by the EEC directive.
Without any real knowledge of what these standards are, I would ask the Minister to ascertain whether the deterioration which was taking place gradually on the Howth side of the Bull Wall in past years and is taking place at present at an accelerated rate could be tolerated by us. Whether or not the EEC are satisfied with those standards on their beaches on the Continent, we are not satisfied with them here. The Minister should further investigate whether our standards in this regard should not be very much higher than those they are trying to attain on the Continent at this late stage. Because they have ruined their beaches, there is no reason why we should accept their standards as we appear to be doing.
It is our policy to ensure that existing levels are maintained and to ensure that standards are not lowered. We have a lot to learn from mistakes made in other countries.
We are up to our ankles in them.
Question No. 8.
In view of the fact that the Minister's relative satisfaction about these issues seems to be based on surveys carried out outside the aegis of his Department, does he consider that the capacity of his Department to cope with the pollution threat and to monitor it is adequate in view of the inter-departmental report?
That is a separate question. These are local questions related to Dublin Bay and its environs.
Does the Minister consider that his Department's capacity to determine pollution standards in Dublin Bay is adequate in view of the inter-departmental report on pollution generally published by his and other Departments just over a year ago in which it was clearly spelled out that the present capacity of the Departments to handle such questions was inadequate?
We are monitoring the position in consultation with the local authorities.
The inter-departmental report said that the Departments capacity to monitor such standards was inadequate.
I would not agree.
Does the Minister accept the factual statement that this report issued in October 1977 expressed grave dissatisfaction with the present capacity of the Minister's Department to handle such monitoring?
I have called Question No. 8.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I want to ask a supplementary.
We are handling the situation adequately at the moment.
Then the Minister does not accept that report?
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister of State satisfied that his Department have adequate personnel to deal with the matters raised in these questions?
The Deputy could put down a separate question.
(Cavan-Monaghan): No, it is a direct——
He could ask questions all day.
(Cavan-Monaghan): I asked if the Department had adequate personnel to deal with the matter raised in these questions.
I am not aware that there is a shortage of staff to deal with this directive.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Has the staff been increased since the Department was rechristened?
No, not that I am aware of.
(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the whole thing not a sham when the Department do not have the extra personnel——
The Deputy is entering into an argument. Question No. 8.