Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 December 2004
9 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the comments of a person (details supplied) who claims that the river pollution is turning Ireland into an environmental time-bomb; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32763/04]
View answer17 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the warning given by a person (details supplied) at the recent Irish environment conference, that Ireland is sitting on an environmental time-bomb, due to the alarming levels of pollution flowing into our rivers; the steps being taken to combat river pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32688/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 17 together.
I understand the paper to which the questions referred was on eutrophication of inland and estuarine water and was delivered at an Environmental Protection Agency conference in November 2004. The author described the potential scenario of a build-up of phosphorus to a critical level over time in the soil of agricultural land due to the over-application of artificial fertiliser and manures. Where over-application takes place, the capacity of the soil to retain inputs of phosphorus may be exceeded leading to the loss of the excess phosphorus to receiving waters and the eutrophication of these waters.
The paper did not claim that this scenario actually obtained at present or that there is a widespread, serious or immediate risk to Ireland's river water quality. Rather, while referring to this potentially serious situation, it highlighted conclusions of the EPA that Irish river water quality is among the best in Europe with two thirds of rivers unpolluted.
As part of the implementation of the EU water framework directive, my Department has been promoting the establishment by local authorities of river basin management projects. The directive requires us to maintain high quality water status and to restore polluted rivers and lakes to at least good status by 2015.
The EU nitrates directive aims to protect waters against pollution from agricultural sources, including both nitrates and phosphates, with a primary emphasis on better management of livestock manure and other fertilisers. Ireland's national action programme under the nitrates directive was submitted to the European Commission on 22 October last. The action programme provides for a range of necessary measures to strengthen the application of good agricultural practice countrywide to protect water quality from pollution from agricultural sources. I understand that the Commission will formally respond to Ireland on this matter in the coming weeks.
The EPA conference document stated that one third of all rivers are now polluted and there is a danger that the crisis could spiral out of control unless urgent measures are taken. There is a serious problem, therefore, and notwithstanding what the Minister of State has said, we need to do more about it. The Minister, Deputy Roche, appeared on a recent television programme which was very informative and raised the serious issue of leechate from dumps getting into the water supply. I do not wish to be confrontational about this but my question concerned the EPA's office of environmental enforcement. I appreciate that the agency is an independent, stand-alone body with rights and obligations. When the EPA identified problems and issued directions against two local authorities, one in Wicklow and the other in Kildare, the Minister refused to intervene saying he has no role in the matter. The Minister has a role, however, and he should be much more proactive. Local authorities are there to police environmental legislation and control those who are illegally dumping and polluting the environment, including rivers, so the Minister must act. He cannot sit back in the comfort zone of the Custom House and pretend this is not happening, because it is.
There are two questions to respond to here. I want to be absolutely fair to Mr. McGarrigle. His paper emphasised that Irish rivers are generally of better quality than those of most other European countries. He took issue with the article as it appeared.
The Deputy also mentioned that my Department has put in place funding for enforcement by the EPA. Polluters must be brought before the courts. That is the Department's view and I expect that the EPA, which is independent, will apply the law as it is laid down.
Local authorities are being directed by the EPA to do their job but the Minister is not doing anything about that. Some local authorities have been found not to be obeying the instructions of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government should be dealing with any local authority against which EPA directives are issued. If they are not doing their job, county managers should be told to manage the environment properly, which is what they are supposed to do.
The EPA is taking action against local authorities that are not complying with environmental policy. The Department would have concerns if any local authorities were not taking the necessary action. In such cases, it would exhort the EPA to ensure such authorities were brought to heel and prosecuted in the normal way.
I genuinely wonder if we are talking about the same conference and the same report. What are the Minister of State's views on the comments made by the EPA director general, who expressed dissatisfaction that 30% of rivers and lakes nationwide are polluted? In addition, those rivers and lakes which were previously regarded as being slightly polluted are now becoming moderately polluted. That does not seem to square with what the Minister has told the House.
Absolutely.
As I understand it, the paper did not address the kind of point-source pollution to which the Minister of State seems to be responding but rather the more insidious ongoing pollution arising from spreading fertilisers and malfunctioning septic tanks. The paper observed that half of all septic tanks are not functioning properly. Does the Minister of State or his Department know anything about that? It seems to be an extraordinarily high level of malfunction for septic tanks. Does the Minister of State have a comment or observation to make about that?
The question posed by the Deputy is obviously the basis for a separate question——
It relates to the same conference.
——which would require a far more detailed answer. The earlier question related to an article that appeared and the subsequent statements that were made about it. We are concerned about water quality and the Department is making a major investment in small rural water schemes. Currently, 50 group water schemes are part of the overall programme dealing with the issues the Deputy has raised. They will obviate the necessity for septic tanks.
The Department is concerned about septic tanks and I will deal with that issue under a separate question.
I will table such a question.
The issue needs to be addressed seriously to ensure compliance so that such tanks are properly maintained.
Does the Minister accept the finding of Mr. McGarrigle, that 30% of rivers and lakes nationwide are polluted?
I have answered that question. The Department is concerned about this matter but a major framework directive is in place.
Is it 30%?
The EPA report states that it was 30% and obviously that is a matter of concern, but we are taking action to ensure the situation is rectified through the EU nitrates directive, the water framework directives, and through the ongoing work of the EPA. Unprecedented funding is going into the whole area.
We know that.
