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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 29 Nov 1988

Vol. 384 No. 8

Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Water Quality Analysis.

12.

asked the Minister for the Marine the frequency of water quality analysis carried out in the Irish Sea; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

My Department's marine environmental monitoring programme is directed more towards monitoring fish and shellfish for important contaminants including metals and organ chlorines on a routine basis rather than analysis of water per se.

In addition to bacteriological quality of shellfish is monitored under the Department's shellfish sanitation programme.

My Department also co-operate fully with the Department of Energy and the Nuclear Energy Board who are responsible for monitoring for radioactive pollution in the marine environment.

Would the Minister not accept that the sampling of water, especially in the Irish Sea, for toxicity, radioactivity and heavy metals should be the function of the Department of the Marine given that it has been proved that the Irish Sea is the most polluted stretch of water in the world? Since it appears that the Department of the Marine have no statistics available, would the Minister not agree that this is something that should be put in order immediately?

The question is what Department have the statutory responsibility. Water quality analysis is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment. We are particularly interested in the results of their analyses because of marine life. We are in constant touch with both the Department of the Environment and the Nuclear Energy Board. In relation to shellfish the Department commenced a shellfish sanitation programme, the objective of which is to monitor not only the shellfish themselves but also the waters in which they live. The Department of the Environment have responsibility in this matter but we have a particular interest in it.

What standards have the Department of the Marine laid down for the Irish territorial part of the Irish Sea in relation to the matters I have outlined?

The question refers to the frequency of water quality analyses carried out in the Irish Sea. If the Deputy wishes to have details of the standards he can proceed by way of letter or by way of a parliamentary question and I will give him the up-to-date guidelines.

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