Vol. 512 No. 8
73 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will report on the recent pollution leakage from the landfill site at Terrinamera, Newport, County Mayo, into Lough Beltra; the action, if any, taken since the leak; the studies, if any, carried out on fish life in the lough and the Black Oak River as a consequence of this pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27203/99]
The operation by Mayo County Council of the landfill site at Derrinumera, Newport, County Mayo is primarily a matter for the council, including any remedial measures necessary consequential on any leakage of leachate or otherwise arising from such operation. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has functions under the Waste Management Act, 1996, in relation to the licensing of waste disposal facilities and under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992, in relation to the supervision of the performance by local authorities of their environmental protection functions. The monitoring of water quality is a matter for the local authorities and the EPA.
Studies in relation to fish life are primarily a matter for the fisheries research centre of the Marine Institute and in the case of waters in County Mayo, the Western Regional Fisheries Board.
I have no function in this matter.
