asked the Minister for the Environment if he will designate the Lakes of Killarney as a fresh water fishery area with a view to ensuring any necessary improvements in the quality of the waters in accordance with EC directives; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Killarney Lakes.
588.
The question of further designations of rivers and lakes under the EC Freshwater Fish Directive (78/659/EEC) is kept under review by my Department in consultation with the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. The question of including the Lakes of Killarney will be considered when additional designations are being made.
The recent completion of work on the Killarney sewerage treatment works at an estimated cost of £2.1 million should considerably improve the water quality of the lakes. The treatment plant is one of the most modern in the country. It will provide adequate capacity for the expanding population of Killarney and rectify the problem of overloading that has occurred in recent years, thereby reducing the organic load and producing a better standard of effluent. As the waste water from the town contains a relatively high concentration of phosphorus, provision has been made for its removal by precipitation and this should make a significant contribution towards arresting advancement of eutrophication in the lakes.
Additional protection of the lakes will be provided by the Fossa Road sewer which is at present under construction. This will intercept various sewage discharges, and will direct them to the treatment works, thus removing a number of potential sources of pollution.