asked the Minister for Local Government whether any action is contemplated following his meetings with representatives of residents' associations concerned with pollution of the river Tolka.
Ceisteanna — Questions Oral Answers. - Tolka River Pollution.
71.
The efforts of Dublin Corporation and my Department to eliminate the causes of pollution in the River Tolka are, I am glad to say, showing results. The new pumping station at Finglas bridge and the associated Tolka Valley sewer which were provided at a cost of £38,000 are now operational. The most objectionable effluents which were previously discharged to the river at Finglas bridge have been taken into the sewer. Further effluents being discharged to the river near Broombridge have also been brought into the new sewer. Arrangements are being made by the local authority with all the other commercial interests in the area which may be contributing towards pollution of the river to have their effluents similarly connected up to this sewer.
In addition, the local authority have spent more than £7,000 in recent months on cleaning up the bed of the Tolka between Drumcondra and Ballybough bridges. This has involved the removal of an enormous amount of dumped materials and also of debris which has been carried down the river and which would be likely to cause obstruction to the flow of the water. While the conditions are likely to be most unfavourable for this type of work during the remainder of the present year, it is the intention of the local authority in the coming year to continue this work on other sections of the river which require cleaning.
The steps thus taken or proposed should ensure that the condition of the Tolka is brought to a proper standard. It should be possible to keep it at this standard if the local residents cooperate with the local authority in eliminating further dumping.