Vol. 575 No. 5
132 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if he plans introducing regulations requiring fishery board officials to produce split water samples on suspected water pollution incidents; and if such split samples can be independently evaluated. [28750/03]
I am advised that officers of the fisheries boards are authorised to take samples from suspected water pollution incidents under the fisheries Acts and water pollution Acts. The practice is for the board's staff to take samples and have them analysed at the board's laboratories or forward them to independent commercial laboratories. The other party concerned has the opportunity to take samples and have same analysed independently.
I am informed by the Central Fisheries Board that the taking of split water samples has been considered by them at length and has been discounted for various reasons, not least of which is its impracticality. The legal requirement for split sampling in neighbouring jurisdictions was abolished.
In the circumstances I have no plans to introduce legislation which has been tested and abandoned elsewhere.
