asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a full report on the result of tests on samples of sea water in Dublin Bay since August 1969 including the result of tests for pathogenic organisms.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bay Sea Water Tests.
4.
Under arrangements made by the Dublin Chief Medical Officer, regular tests are made on samples of seawater taken twice a month from March to October at the following nine points in Dublin Bay— Claremont Strand; Dollymount (two points); Sandymount; Seapoint; Sandycove and at Killiney (three points). Less frequent samples are taken from Sutton, Blackrock and Dún Laoghaire —Scotsman Bay.
These tests give the E. Coli count of the seawater and the Dublin Chief Medical Officer furnishes periodic reports to my Department on the general position. These reports indicate that only at one location is the condition of the seawater causing some anxiety. I understand the sanitary authorities are taking measures to deal with the position in this area.
I would refer the Deputy to a reply given on the 4th of this month by the Minister for Local Government to Deputy Seán Moore (Question No. 150) in which he indicated that a joint survey of Dublin Bay is being undertaken shortly by the Dublin Corporation, the Electricity Supply Board and the Dublin Port and Docks Board.
Could the Minister say if the pollution which occurred at Salthill, Dún Laoghaire and at Sandycove has abated?
I understand there has been some concern as to the extent of pollution in the vicinity of the west pier at Dún Laoghaire. This arose because of a discharge of crude sewage from some houses in the area but, according to my information, this has since been remedied by Dún Laoghaire Corporation.