asked the Minister for Tourism, Fisheries and Forestry the number of prosecutions which have been brought by the regional fisheries boards in 1983, 1984 and 1985, under sections 171 and 172 of the Fisheries Consolidation Act, 1959; if he will resist any attempts to have these sections of the Act repealed; if he has changed his view that enforcement of water pollution offences be the sole responsibility of local authorities; and if he will now clarify the position and make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Fisheries Legislation Prosecutions.
57.
The number of prosecutions initiated by the regional fisheries boards under sections 171 and 172 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act, 1959, in respect of the years 1983, 1984 and 1985 are as follows:
|
1983 |
— |
90 |
|
1984 |
— |
63 |
|
1985 |
— |
73 |
It is not proposed to repeal those sections of the Fisheries Consolidation Act. With regard to the proposal that in the context of the reform of local government local authorities be given sole responsibility for water pollution control in their areas, as promised, this has been considered further by the Government in the light of representations made by various interests and following discussions on the matter which I had with the Central Fisheries Board, and it has been decided that sole responsibility for water pollution control will not be among the matters to be devolved to local authorities. Thus while local authorities will continue to have primary responsibility for the control of water pollution, the fisheries boards will continue to retain their existing powers.