asked the Minister for the Environment the maximum penalties that exist for polluting rivers and streams and if in view of this year's experience alone, in different parts of the country, he would agree that the time has now come to introduce new legislation with far stiffer penalties than those presently existing, and if he would make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pollution Legislation.
388.
The maximum penalties for the main offences under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, amount to £250 on summary conviction, with provision for an additional fine of up to £100 a day for a continuing offence. There is also provision for imprisonment. On conviction on indictment, the maximum penalties are a fine of £5,000, or two years imprisonment or both, with an additional fine of up to £500 a day in the case of a continuing offence.
The adequacy of existing legislation, including the level of penalties, is kept under review in the light of pollution incidents and other relevant considerations. I am not satisfied, however, that increases in the maximum penalties are necessary at this stage or that such increases would be an appropriate response to incidents of the kind that have occurred in the past year.