asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will exercise his powers to ensure that untreated sewage is not discharged into Galway Bay from the proposed Oranmore sewerage scheme and Galway main drainage outfall at Mutton Island.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Galway Sewerage Scheme.
5.
I am prepared to take any necessary action under the powers conferred on me to protect the fishery resources of Galway Bay.
The two cases referred to in the question are at present being considered by my Department in consultation with the local authorities concerned with a view to ensuring that appropriate provision is made to protect the fisheries involved.
Will the Minister of State tell us what powers he has available to him in this case?
It is an offence under sections 171 and 172 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act to discharge raw matter into waters unless such discharge takes place under licence from the Minister for Fisheries.
Is the Minister of State aware that Galway Corporation were granted a foreshore licence to discharge this effluent without it being treated? From inquiries I have been making in the Department of the Environment it seems they are determined to proceed with this scheme without requiring treatment of the sewage before discharge. I know from the Minister and officials in his Department that there is great concern in the Department of Fisheries and Forestry regarding these proposals. It would seem from the talks I have had with officials in the Minister's Department that they fear the Department of the Environment may exercise greater muscle and succeed in proceeding with this scheme without treatment. I am appealing to the Minister of State and his Minister to take a positive stand on this issue to protect the shell fisheries in Galway Bay and also to protect the quality of the water in Galway Bay which is of great importance to tourism. I realise this may not be the direct responsibility of the Minister of State but it is a matter of interest to everyone.
There are negotiations between my Department and the Department of the Environment in relation to the application. It has not been finalised yet, although the Deputy seems to think it has been finalised. He has also claimed that the Department of the Environment will push ahead with the proposals but they cannot do so until they are first cleared with the Department of Fisheries and Forestry. I give the assurance that my Minister gave in this House six months ago that this will get the same protection from me as it did from my Minister. We are determined not to allow raw sewage to be discharged into any harbour, particularly in any new scheme.
I accept what the Minister of State has said. I thanked his Minister, Deputy O'Toole, in this House for his support on this issue. Surely the Minister of State must be aware that officials in the Department of the Environment are insisting that the scheme at Oranmore be designed without treatment works. Is that true?
They have applied for the licence but my Department have refused it and will continue to refuse it until they are satisfied that the proper treatment works are installed.
Has the Minister of State details of the application for the licence to which he has referred?
I have not such details. I have been given the answers in relation to the application but I have not the details. I understand the Deputy is correct in saying that the Department of the Environment are insisting that they be given the licence. We are saying no and will continue to say no until we are satisfied that the proper treatment works have been installed.
I do not want to delay the House but I urge the Minister of State to continue to take a very firm stand on this issue. In the case of the Galway main drainage scheme massive volumes of sewage would be discharged into the bay and this would cause dreadful damage to the oyster fisheries and would destroy the aesthetic amenity of Galway Bay from the point of view of tourism and of bathing. This is important but I accept it is not the dirtect responsibility of the Minister of State.
I am absolutely on the Deputy's side in relation to this issue.