asked the Minister for the Environment the further measures which are proposed by the Government to ensure that industrial and toxic pollution of the Irish Sea is ended; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Pollution of Irish Sea.
25.
There is no evidence to suggest that industrial or toxic pollution of the Irish Sea from Irish sources is occurring with the exception of localised pollution in some estuarine waters.
The input of pollutants to the sea is controlled by the Local Government (Water Polution) Act, 1977, and the Dumping at Sea Act, 1981. Under the 1977 Act, all point discharges from industrial sources must be in accordance with the terms of a licence issued by the relevant local authority. These licences incorporate necessary safeguards designed to protect the receiving waters. As part of the Government's general programme to tackle water pollution, I have requested all local authorities to review existing licences and licence conditions, where this is necessary to ensure that pollution does not occur.
Dumping at sea is controlled by the Minister for the Marine under the Dumping at Sea Act, 1981, and is allowed only where this option is considered environmentally acceptable and is the only practical solution available for disposing of the material involved. I am advised that there is no authorised dumping of industrial wastes into the Irish Sea from sources in this State. The only dumping which occurs involves sewage sludge and dredged spoil from harbours and is subject to permits issued by the Minister for the Marine, which set conditions designed to avoid pollution.