asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry if there is a reduction in the number of fish catches in Lough Sheelin this season as a result of pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Lough Sheelin.
I am not aware that there has been a reduction in the number of trout caught in Lough Sheelin this season to date.
Up to mid-April there was very little angling on the lake due to the very cold weather. During the remainder of the month angling was quite good and the number of trout recorded as having been taken compares favourably with other years.
Is the Minister aware of the serious concern of anglers at the deterioration in the quality of the water in Lough Sheelin? There was an increase in algae recently and a decrease in the clarity of the water.
The present condition of the lake is quite acceptable. We are aware it was not in good condition at some stage in the past but now it is quite acceptable.
Will the Minister accept that the anglers are seriously concerned about the deterioration in the quality of the water? Will he say why a question I submitted to the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry about the level of pollution in the lake was transferred to the Minister for the Environment?
I cannot comment on the reason for the transfer of a question from one Minister to another. I am attempting to answer the questions presented to me. I have no knowledge and had nothing to do with the transfer of a question. There was a major problem regarding pollution of Lough Sheelin some time ago. As a result, a certain amount of grant aid was made available from the Department of the Environment in the form of a grant for transportation of slurry that allegedly had been causing pollution. What was done to rectify the situation has been quite successful. The Lough Sheelin management committee was reconstituted as from 1 January 1985. Membership of the committee consists of four representatives of the farming organisations, two persons from the IFA and two representatives of the farmers' association in the area. There were also two representatives from Cavan County Council, one of whom was chairman of the committee, one person from ACOT, one representative from the ESB, one representative from the Department of Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry and one person from the Central Fisheries Board. Joint inspections by Cavan County Council and the Central Fisheries Board were carried out during the winter and spring. A recent inspection was carried out on 20 March and the conclusion was that generally the condition and quality of the lake is quite acceptable.
I should like to take the Minister up on his use of the word "generally" because there has been a deterioration in the quality of the water in Lough Sheelin during the winter. It is a matter of concern that the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry seems to be unaware of this, because the Department of the Environment are dealing with it. Will the Minister say when the committee to which he referred last met?
I cannot give the Deputy the exact date when they met. I do not think it is a reasonable question but if the Deputy wishes to get that information I will find it out for him and communicate with him. Most of the storage units for the slurry were inspected in February. Much of the slurry has been spread outside the Sheelin catchment area and it seems unlikely that further storage problems could have arisen by the end of March. Spreading of slurry may be carried out in the Sheelin catchment area between April and September provided it is in accordance with requirements and the moisture of the soil at a particular time. The overall condition of the lake at present is acceptable.
Will the Minister accept that the scheme inaugurated by the Leader of our party to remove the slurry from Lough Sheelin was very successful? That scheme was suspended when this Government came to office and now the quality of the water is deteriorating. Will he request the Minister for the Environment to keep his Department informed? I maintain that Department should be the prime Department in ensuring that the quality of this lake is preserved.
We will get in touch with the Department of the Environment. We are in continual contact with them. I would not like to comment on a scheme started by the Leader of the Opposition in relation to the removal of slurry. I will leave that matter to the Deputy
We must turn now to priority questions.