Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 31 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 5

Written Answers. - Fish Kill Numbers.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

41 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the measures he has taken to prepare for the possibility of a number of fish kills in Irish rivers and lakes in the coming summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

Since the very high number of fish kills in the summer of 1987, an ongoing programme has been in place to eliminate such incidents. Although a total of 111 kills occurred last year, a major cause was deoxygenation and low water levels in rivers due to the fine weather and high temperatures. The proportion caused by agriculture was at its lowest ever, at approximately one-fifth of all kills.

Last year's experience serves only to reinforce the importance of pursuing the implementation of a comprehensive programme of measures to tackle all sources of pollution.

The emphasis already placed on education about pollution risks and appropriate safeguards, and the part played by official agencies and farming organisations in promoting awareness, have resulted in a significant reduction in the proportion of fish kills due to agricultural sources. The grants now available for the provision of pollution control facilities on farms should contribute to a further reduction in the number of pollution incidents from such sources. The continuing emphasis in the sanitary services programme, including the small schemes programme, on schemes designed to eliminate pollution blackspots will also have significant beneficial effects.

I have issued a further circular to all local authorities, reminding them of the high number of fish kills last year and asking them to review and intensify their efforts during 1990 to eliminate all potential pollution sources. The circular specifically requested each local authority to identify the fish kills which occurred in its area in 1989 and to take account of them when deciding on farm surveys, reviewing effluent discharge licences, or assessing the adequacy of the authority's own sewage and water treatment facilities. The circular requested local authorities to continue farm surveys especially in high risk areas, and reminded them of the need for follow up action on farms found to be of high or medium pollution risk in earlier surveys. In addition, it drew attention to the need to review effluent discharge licences regularly and, generally, to ensure that the Water Pollution Act, 1977, is vigorously implemented.

The main element of the programme to control pollution which remains to be put in place is the enactment of legislation amending the 1977 Act so as to strengthen the powers available to local authorities to prevent and deal with water pollution. The amending legislation will also provide for substantially increased penalties for water pollution offences, civil liability for pollution damage, and remedial measures at the polluters expense.

The Bill has already passed all Stages in the Seanad and is now at Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann.