asked the Minister for Local Government what plans he has to deal with the growing menace of pollution to rivers and lakes in this country.
99.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Water Pollution.
98.
asked the Minister for Local Government what plans he has to deal with the growing menace of pollution on the foreshore around the coast of this country.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the relevant part of my reply to the recent debate on the Estimate for my Department—columns 437 to 444 of the Official Report for 28th October, 1971 —in which I gave full details of the measures I am taking to deal with the problem of water pollution.
In addition to the steps outlined in that reply, the question of arrangements to minimise pollution from agricultural sources is being considered jointly by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
With regard to pollution of the foreshore, I should mention that local authorities are empowered and are encouraged by my Department to ensure that beaches are kept clean.
100.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that untreated sewage is being discharged into the Camac River at Clondalkin, County Dublin; that as a result this river is an open sewer and a grave public health hazard; and if he will make a statement on the matter,
I am aware that considerable industrial wastes are discharged either untreated or insufficiently treated into the Camac.
As regards domestic sewage the Clondalkin sewerage works have been improved recently. I am informed that despite this improvement the works may discharge some untreated sewage into the river during wet weather but that the works are continuously manned to ensure that such discharges are kept to the minimum.
The Greater Dublin Drainage Scheme, the planning of which has now reached an advanced stage, is designed to take the discharges, industrial and domestic, at present polluting the Camac.