asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of the very considerable pollution of inland lakes and rivers particularly from silage and pig farms; and if he will sponsor as a matter of the utmost urgency effective control legislation with the other Government Departments concerned.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pollution Control Legislation.
13.
While I am aware that farm effluent can be a contributory factor in the pollution of inland lakes and rivers, the extent to which this is alleged to happen is often exaggerated. All possible precautions are taken by my Department in the operation of the farm buildings scheme and through the agricultural advisory service to prevent pollution from farm activities.
As regards the second part of the question, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the publication on 13th March last of the Report on Water Pollution prepared by an Inter-Departmental Working Group on Air and Water Pollution set up by the Minister for Local Government. Recommendations which would lead to legislation are made in the report and these are being examined by the Departments concerned.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the serious pollution that exists in the midland lakes? I refer to the river Shannon area, in particular to Lough Sheelin. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that Lough Sheelin is polluted almost out of existence? He makes the case that all possible precautions are being taken——
This is a long question.
This is just not the truth. What action does the Parliamentary Secretary intend taking in relation to Lough Sheelin, Lough Derravarragh, to Lough Rea, Lough Derg and the River Shannon generally?
I am aware that there is limited pollution in the lakes referred to by the Deputy——
Caused by years of neglect by Fianna Fáil.
(Interruptions.)
It is catching up on you now.
There will be no pig enterprises if the Government do not do something about the price of bacon.
I must call Question No. 14.
I attended the recent annual general meeting of the Inland Fisheries Trust and discussed this question with the members. I can assure the Deputy that the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries in conjunction with the Department of Local Government and local authorities are making all possible efforts to eliminate pollution.
Question No. 14.
May I draw the Parliamentary Secretary's attention to the annual report for 1972 of the Inland Fisheries Trust which urges the solution in relation to the disposal of farm slurry? This report states that it would take only some £20,000 outlay in the first instance——
We are having a statement from the Deputy instead of a question.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary deal with this problem in relation to Lough Sheelin and would he examine——
Very little progress is being made with questions today. We must pass on.
I am aware of the importance of this matter and the question of farm slurry is getting active consideration in my Department.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that farmers in the Sheelin catchment area would co-operate in the scheme I have outlined? Lough Sheelin, a lake of some 4,600 acres, is being destroyed by this slurry. I do not want to underestimate the contribution being made by farmers— on the contrary—but I feel that urgent action should be taken in relation to this tremendous tourist amenity.
We cannot debate every aspect of pollution here today.
I have an interest——
I am sure every Deputy has an interest in this matter.
I have a particular interest——
Officers attached to the local committee of agriculture were asked to visit the area and the farmers concerned and try—to use an old phrase that Deputy Gibbons does not like—by exhortation and consultation to minimise pollution. That is being done at present.
The Chair is anxious to pass on. We cannot debate every question on the Order Paper. Deputy Haughey.
The farmers are prepared to co-operate in this matter——
Deputy Haughey. When the Chair calls a Deputy he should be heard.
I beg your pardon.
I want to ask the Parliamentary Secretary if it is a fact that farm buildings, including piggeries, which are a very short distance from the public road are not subject to planning permission and that, in effect, the only control the Parliamentary Secretary's Department have in this regard is to specify when administering grants that precautions are observed in regard to pollution and would he consider some additional safeguard such as the licensing of piggeries in general?
The Department will not pay a grant, as the Deputy is aware, to any person who erects a piggery unless he has planning approval from the local authority concerned.
He does not know the score.
(Interruptions.)
He does not need it for a piggery.
The local authority must be satisfied——
Deputies
No.
It is an exempted development.
The position so far as piggeries are concerned is that you must get planning approval and not exempted approval at present.
Question No. 14.
It was Fianna Fáil who drew up the Act which left them exempt.
Further arising out of the reply——
I have given the Deputy every latitude——
(Interruptions.)
I have called Question No. 14. Deputy Wilson for a final supplementary.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree with the statement in an editorial in the paper concerning pollution and referring to the Sheelin area in which it was stated that it was completely wrong to say pollution was not urgent in this country, that the matter was very urgent at present and that something practical, other than exhortation and pious talk, is now necessary?
It was necessary last year.
We must pass on.
(Interruptions.)
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply——
I have given the Deputy a number of supplementaries. I called Deputy Wilson for a final supplementary at the behest of the Deputy and now he wishes to get back in again.
I am trying to deal with the matter responsibly. I would ask the Parliamentary Secretary to look at the Inland Fisheries Trust report for 1972 which urges the expenditure of £20,000 in relation to the Sheelin catchment area for pig farmers. My information is that the farmers will co-operate in this scheme. Would he examine that proposition as a matter of urgency?
The Chair is calling Question No. 14.
I am examining the whole matter——
The Chair is passing on to Question No. 14.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary say how you would exhort 30,000 pigs not to cause pollution?
That must be what you were doing for so many years.
(Interruptions.)
The Minister should stick to Local Government.
Question No. 14.
I did not get a reply to my supplementary.
I am sorry about that.
A Deputy is entitled to a reply.
The Chair has called Question No. 14.
(Interruptions.)
Could I get a reply to my supplementary question?
I have read the report and I am——
You are doing nothing about it.
The Chair has called Question No. 14 about five times. He now wishes to have it replied to.