Vol. 242 No. 8
asked the Minister for Local Government whether the water resources division of An Foras Forbartha will direct and co-ordinate all investigations into the problems of water pollution, including those in relation to which the Department of Industry and Commerce have responsibilities.
40.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will state with reference to his reply of 11th November regarding water pollution, on what date An Foras Forbartha set up the water resources division; what staff were allocated to it; what were the qualifications of such staff; and what staff are now engaged and their qualifications.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 40 together. As I already indicated in replies to a number of recent questions, it is the intention that An Foras Forbartha will provide a comprehensive service in relation to all aspects of the rational use of our water resources, including surveys and investigations into water pollution. This will entail close liaison between An Foras and the other State Departments and agencies working in the field, so as to ensure that the maximum benefit may be derived from all available material and that information may be easily obtained from a central agency by a person interested in any aspect of our water resources.
The water resources division of An Foras Forbartha was established on the 1st May, 1969. The staffing visualised for the division comprises the following:—
1 senior research officer in charge of the division. Hydrometric Section: 1 engineer research officer or assistant research officer; 1 engineer research assistant; 1 draughtsman. Part-time field gauge readers. Hydrology Section: 1 hydrologist research officer or assistant research officer. Water Quality Section: 1 analytical chemist research officer or assistant research officer; 1 biologist research assistant; 1 laboratory technician; 1 trainee technician. General: 2 clerk typists.
The senior research officer in charge of the division has already been appointed and is an engineer with wide experience in water management.
