Since the Minister for Local Government is here, perhaps it would be well if he would explain the object of the Bill.
Local Government (Water Pollution) Bill, 1976: First Stage.
Leave granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide for the control of water pollution and for other matters connected with water pollution.
The object of the Bill is to make more effective arrangements for the control of water pollution with a view to ensuring that the quality of water resources is maintained to a satisfactory standard consistent with their various beneficial uses. This control will extend to inland waters, tidal waters and the sea but will not apply to discharges to tidal waters or the sea from vessels or marine structures. The main provisions of the Bill include the introduction of a flexible licensing system to be operated by county and county borough councils to control the discharge of trade and certain sewage effluents from land or premises to waters including inland waters and tidal waters and the sea; secondly, prohibition on the entry to such waters of other poisonous, noxious or polluting matters; third, the introduction of a licensing system to be operated by sanitary authorities to control the discharge to sewers of trade effluent or matter other than domestic sewage and storm water; fourth, have power enabling county and county borough councils to prepare water quality management plans; five, support and provision for enforcement, appeals, monitoring standards and so on. It is expected that the text of the Bill and the accompanying explanatory memorandum will be ready for circulation immediately following its introduction today.
An Leas-Chathaoirleach
It is not usual to have a statement on First Stage. When is it proposed to take the Second Stage?
In about two weeks.