Vol. 362 No. 6
asked the Minister for the Environment the reason the undertaking he received from the Sheelin Farmers' Association and outlined in Parliamentary Question No. 381 of 29 January 1985 has not been implemented and if he will make a statement on the matter.
17.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he is concerned at the renewed pollution of Lough Sheelin; if he is satisfied with the measures being taken to protect the quality of the water; the further measures he proposes to take and if he will make a statement of the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 and 17 together. I am not aware of the basis for the assertion that the Sheelin Farmers' Association are not implementing the undertakings in regard to (a) the assumption of responsibility for the operation of the slurry transport scheme from 1 January 1985 and (b) participation in the new management committee. I understand that substantial quantities of slurry have been removed from the catchment by the pig producers during 1985 without cost to the Exchequer. I also understand that the association's representatives are actively on the management committee which now meets monthly.
As regards the present condition of the lake, I understand that results of monitoring indicate that the input of nutrients via feeder streams has been somewhat higher this year than in recent years. This has been due chiefly to the wet spring and summer, which has had the effect of washing residual nutrients from the soil. It is the responsibility of Cavan County Council, as the pollution control authority, in consultation with the management committee, to monitor the situation closely and to determine whether changes in existing arrangements, or new measures, may be required to ensure the protection of the lake. The council have already availed of their powers under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, by serving notices on pro-ducers prohibiting slurry spreading within the catchment between 15 November 1985 and 15 February 1986. The notices also require that for the periods 25 October — 15 November 1985 and 16 February — 31 March 1986 slurry may only be spread in such quantities and in such conditions as will not cause or be likely to cause pollution.
