Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 6

Written Answers. - Payment of Pollution Fines.

Eric J. Byrne

Ceist:

34 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment the total number of fines paid by enterprises for breaches of the Water Pollution Acts, 1977 and 1990, and the Air Pollution Act, 1987, in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3323/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

Information regarding payment of fines imposed under the Water Pollution Acts, 1977 and 1990 and the Air Pollution Act, 1987 is not available in my Department.

In 1994, local authorities took 28 prosecutions under the Water Pollution Acts and secured 18 successful prosecutions. Information on the offences concerned, as well as statistics on a wide range of water pollution control activities undertaken by local authorities in 1994, are contained in the Environment Bulletin, Issue 28, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

In 1994, four prosecutions were initiated by local authorities under the Air Pollution Act; all of these were successful.