With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take questions Nos. 30, 31 and 32 together.
I am aware of the incidents in question and I have received details of the investigations carried out and the remedial action taken to mitigate the effects of the pollution.
The pollution which affected the Gradogue and Funcheon Rivers occurred on 10 June 1980 when liquid waste disposed of into a ditch near Mitchelstown County Cork subsequently reached both rivers with major consequential destruction of fish life and other aquatic species in the river. No public water supply sources were affected. Local authority investigations revealed that the material discharged was highly toxic with a high acidic reaction. The source of the liquid waste was traced to a firm in the midlands.
On 30 July 1980 the local authority obtained by consent a High Court Injunction prohibiting the agents of the firm disposing of the waste and also the waste disposal firm employed by them from discharging polluting matter into waters contrary to the provisions of the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.
The Garda Síochána have also conducted their own investigations into the case. I understand that these investigations have now been completed and that they have submitted the matter to the law officers for a decision as to whether criminal proceedings should be instituted.
The more recent incident involving the river Shannon occurred on 12 October following the fracture of a joint in a pipe carrying slurry from mining operations to an adjacent tailings pond. The mine management notified Tipperary (NR) County Council in whose functional area the incident occurred and the local authority in turn alerted other local authorities concerned. Two public water supply intakes downstream of the spillage were turned off and were not brought into use again until monitoring showed that it was safe to do so.
It is understandable that there should be public concern at any threat of contamination of public water supplies. I would point out, however, that local authorities have wide ranging powers under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, including in particular the power to take urgent measures to mitigate or remedy the effects of any polluting discharge.