Vol. 521 No. 2
62 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources when he expects to produce the promised anti-pollution strategy to tackle degradation of waterways by agricultural effluents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16686/00]
69 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the total number of fish kills reported to his Department in 1999 and to date in 2000; the steps being taken to deal with the issues of river and lake pollution identified in the recent report Ireland's Environment - a Millennium Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16683/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 69 together.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 108 on 10 May 2000 in which I stated that a total of 39 fish kills were reported to my Department in 1999. A total of 11 fish kills have been reported to date in 2000.
The Environmental Protection Agency report identifies agriculture as the major source of phosphorous inputs into inland waters. Existing anti-pollution measures include the incentivising of farmyard nutrient management plans under the rural environmental protection scheme and the integrated pollution control implemented by the Environmental Protection Agency. I have asked my Department to develop a structured liaison at senior level on water quality issues and anti pollution strategies with the Department of the Environment and Local Government and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency. The central and regional fisheries boards and all fisheries interests will also be working with farming and other interests to develop catchment management.
