asked the Minister for the Environment how many prosecutions have been initiated under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Water Pollution Prosecutions.
12.
The information requested is not available to me.
Prosecutions for offences under the Act may be taken by various agencies, including local or sanitary authorities, boards of conservators and the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry. Prosecutions for some of the primary offences may be taken by any person.
Were any inquiries made as to the number of prosecutions?
I would say that there were few prosecutions, if any, because of the industrial dispute. The result of this dispute was that the engineers refused to operate the Act until recently.
Have there been any prosecutions?
I have no information on the number but they would be few because of the ongoing industrial dispute.
How does the Minister judge the success of an Act or how useful it is if apparently, even in the tabling of questions here, he does not see the need to make the most cursory inquiries about the number of prosecutions?
Most of the provisions of this Act have been operating for a short time—1 October, 1978 and 1 January 1979, respectively. In that time there has been a go-slow in the engineering profession. One of the activities selected was the Water Pollution Act because it was new work.
Have there been any prosecutions?
I have no information, probably not.
Is the Minister satisfied that he has sufficient powers under this Act to deal effectively with water pollution?
Yes.
Is he satisfied that local authorities under his own care are the greatest offenders?
That is correct. They have been.
What percentage of prosecutions were against local authorities?
As I said the provisions only came in in October 1978 and January 1979. Even if there were prosecutions pending, very few would have come before the courts at this stage.
Have they been initiated?
Because of the industrial dispute, this Act has not been operated until recently. I am satisfied it provides adequate powers to cover all aspects of commercial life or local authority activities. This Act was debated in this House when the previous Government were in power and everyone is satisfied with it.
May I bring a point to the Minister's attention?
I am sorry, Deputy, I am calling the next question.