asked the Minister for Local Government the action the Government have taken to control and reduce pollution and to improve the environment; and if the Government has been involved in any joint action.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pollution Control.
107.
In my Estimate speech on 20th November, 1973—Volume 269, columns 66 to 71 of the Dáil Debates—I reviewed in detail the various measures being taken by my Department and local authorities to control pollution and protect the environment.
As regards joint action my Department's main interest has been with EEC where work is progressing under the environment programme adopted in July last. My Department have also been concerned, with others, in the preparation of an international convention on the prevention of marine pollution from land-based sources. The Department have kept abreast of relevant developments in various international organisations.
I would also refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 105 and 106 today.
The Minister referred to marine pollution from land sources. Has the Minister any special programme in mind to deal with the report, which was published soon after he came into office regarding fresh water pollution and the treatment of sewage flowing untreated into fresh waters?
The Deputy is probably aware that there has been a national conference for the purpose of drawing up certain proposals about that, and that there is at present a committee whose main function is to ensure that the necessary steps are taken. It is, unfortunately, a long-term matter. This cannot be dealt with immediately although it requires immediate action. The Deputy can be assured that the necessary steps have been taken and will continue to be taken.
Has the Minister looked at the situation in Britain where a river authority have been appointed to cover all these matters? Will the Minister see whether it is feasible to have this type of authority set up here?
The same attitude has not been adopted here because the situation in Britain is different from ours. This country is relatively small and consequently we consider it possible to have a national organisation that is representative of the various groups and which could deal with the problem as a whole rather than to deal with individual areas. Deputy Gallagher is probably aware that one of the problems has been that while there have been local committees dealing with their own areas, up to now it has been possible to direct the national effort to deal with the island as a whole.
Further arising——
We must make progress.
Is the Minister aware that in Britain this river authority are controlled by a central authority?
The Deputy will find that the organisation I am setting up, while it will not be called a river authority, will do a better job than is being done by the authority in Britain to which he refers.
They are doing a good job.
Our authority will do a better job.