asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of pollution of the sea at Seapoint, County Dublin and Salthill, County Galway; and what action he proposes to take to alleviate the nuisance.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sea Pollution.
32.
A mistake has been made in this question: "Salthill, County Galway" should read "Salthill, County Dublin."
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 64 and 65 of the 4th June, 1970, which dealt with the subject of pollution in Dublin Bay and detailed the remedial measures being taken to improve the position.
Is the Minister aware that no remedial measures have been taken so far which would alleviate the pollution in this area? There are two particular problems here. The area is very much frequented by bathers. There is a scum on the sea in the area and a bad colour; the odour becomes worse depending on the prevailing wind. Perhaps the Minister would get the matter examined jointly by Dún Laoghaire Corporation and by Dublin Corporation?
The Blackrock main drainage scheme for which contract documents are at present being finalised will cater to a considerable extent for whatever pollution is taking place there and will provide sufficient accommodation for future development in the area. In reply to the Deputy in a general way I should just like to say that I have initiated discussions with Dublin Corporation on a number of occasions recently and my officials have been in constant touch with them about the question of pollution in Dublin Bay. Although there are many large schemes being planned and about to start which will alleviate this problem in the long term. I have asked the Dublin County Manager to take special measures to help to reduce the existing degree of pollution if it is possible to do this in the immediate future —in other words, for the present swimming season.
Is the Minister aware that previous statements have been commented on by various organisations? Is he aware that there is a rally tonight in what remains of Dollymount Strand?
The question relates to two specific places.
Dublin Corporation are giving special attention to the cleaning of beaches in Dublin and they are doing what they can. I am keeping a constant eye on the situation and encouraging them to continue the efforts they are making.
From what I can gather from the Minister's statement, all the present plans amount to is pumping even more efficiently further sewage into an already saturated bay. I cannot understand from whence the Minister derives his optimism about the improvement in the situation. As far as I can see, the situation will get worse rather than better.
The continued development of Dublin will naturally increase the amount of effluent and waste to be disposed of. The sewerage schemes which are at the planning stage and which are being finalised—there are many difficulties to be overcome—will adequately cater for this pollution. An estimate given to me suggests that when those schemes are completed the degree of pollution in the bay at the moment will be reduced by 50 per cent which will be a substantial contribution towards alleviating this problem. I should like to emphasise that this is no danger to health. It is mainly an interference with the visual amenity.
Can the Minister say if any public funds are being provided for this work? There is no doubt that the danger to health may in some cases be less great than in others. In certain instances there is an obvious danger to health. It may be localised but in the particular case I have mentioned of Salthill and Seapoint there is some risk to health at least if people bathe there.
I do not know what you would call a visual impediment but, certainly, if something gets stuck in your nostrils it is certainly not a visual impediment. If the Minister is referring to a visual impediment, I would advise him to visit the Bull Island any day at all and I will point out to him that there is something more than visual involved in the matter of pollution along that beach.
Question No. 33.
The Deputy is trying to talk a lot of bull about this question.
Can the Minister say if there are any special funds allocated for the alleviation of this problem?
The corporation have not indicated to me that there is any lack of funds available to them with which to carry out those small improvements which will help to reduce the visual interference with the amenity.