asked the Minister for Local Government if his attention has been drawn to reports that Lough Atalia, County Galway, is polluted; and if he will make a statement on the matter indicating the steps which the Government proposes to take to rectify the situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Lake Pollution.
48.
I am aware of such reports. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that it is a matter for the local authority concerned to investigate reports of pollution of this nature and take the necessary action. In this connection, local authorities were very recently requested by my Department to take all possible steps to prevent and secure abatement of water pollution.
Are we to take it that if the local authority do not take the necessary steps the situation is to continue and that in this case, where there is pollution, the Minister is satisfied to allow the pollution to continue and that the Department are not interested in taking any steps to deal with the problem?
We are very interested in taking the necessary steps to prevent pollution not only in the area referred to here but in other places also. I am amazed that the position in Galway and in other places has been allowed to reach such a stage. On Monday next I shall be meeting the representative bodies concerned, including the county managers, for the purpose of setting up an organisation that will help to spearhead a new drive on this problem. Any proposals put forward by the corporation or by the representative bodies will receive full consideration by me.
I know about that. It arises out of the departmental committee which I set up to review the situation.
But about which the Deputy did nothing.
Their report was published on the 14th March. The Minister should be a little more honest and straightforward in his dealings with me.
I am very honest.
In a situation where the local authority officials maintain that there is no serious pollution involved, but where outside experts assert that there is such pollution, would it not be proper for the Minister to involve a third party for the purpose of establishing definitely whether there is serious pollution in a place such as Lough Atalia rather than to say that it is a matter for the local authority?
I would have expected that Deputy Molloy would have done something about the County Galway problem during his term of office. The problem is now on my plate.
The Minister should be more honest, There was no report before the 14th March.
Please allow me to answer.
Could we have some order?
The Deputy may not ask questions and answer them as he used do. The local authority officials may have a dispute between each other in relation to the matter. There are local authority members and if the matter is brought to the notice of the Department by way of resolution we will consider ourselves free to deal with it, but nobody has done that yet.
Question No. 49.
What precautions were taken in Cork during the week-end?
Question No. 49 has been called.
The matter has been brought to the Minister's attention. Is this not the right place in which to raise the matter?
No.
Deputy Molloy must obey the Chair.