Vol. 492 No. 7
128 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources whether there is in place a statutory pollution officer with responsibilities for the Barrow and Slaney; the arrangements if any, in place at present at pollution officer level to monitor water quality and the health of fish stocks in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15240/98]
While there is no statutory requirement for a pollution officer within each regional fisheries board, environmental water quality monitoring is a key part of their operations. The assignment of staff to these duties would be a matter for each board. I am currently reviewing all available options, in line with overall Government parameters on public service numbers, to enhance the human resources available to the boards for vital environmental and water quality work.
In relation to the monitoring of water quality and the health of fish stocks in County Carlow, I am arranging for the details of these to be supplied to the Deputy.
