Vol. 388 No. 5
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has given any consideration to a review of the Water Pollution Act, 1977 in the context of Bord na Móna being exempt from its main provisions as applicable under the Turf Development Acts, 1946 and 1977; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
218.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received a report concerning peat siltation and pollution in the Ballycroy area of County Mayo; if he has considered such a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 217 and 218 together.
Section 3 of the Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Bill, 1989, provides that the Minister for the Environment may, after consultation with other relevant Ministers, make regulations restricting, attaching conditions to, or repealing the exemption granted to Bord na Móna under existing water pollution legislation. It is considered that this flexible approach is the most suitable one at this time and will enable account to be taken of the need to protect our water resources while exploiting another very valuable national resource.
As regards peat siltation and pollution in the Ballycroy area, the Deputy will already be aware from information I conveyed to him some time ago, that my Department sought a report from Bord na Móna on their activities in the area and referred the general matter of pollution and the need for controls, including possible measures in respect of private turf developments, to Mayo County Council, for investigation. I have received a response from Bord na Móna and I have furnished this to Mayo County County for reference in relation to its on-going investigation of the position in the area.
I have also kept my colleague, the Minister for the Marine, informed of the situation in view of the statutory powers available to him to require measures to be taken in respect of Bord na Móna works where he considers it necessary to do so to protect fisheries.
