Vol. 495 No. 4
90 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources his views on the contribution that the excessive use of phosphates in fertilisers and so on makes to the pollution of coastal waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19999/98]
The extent to which phosphates in fertilisers cause polution of coastal waters is one of the issues being examined as part of an environmental quality status report (QSR) on the state of the marine and coastal waters around Ireland, which is being prepared by the Marine Institute on behalf of my Department and the Department of the Environment and Local Government. The QSR project is part of a wider assessment of the marine environment of the north east Atlantic, which is being carried out under the auspices of the OSPAR Convention.
Given that phosphates in coastal waters arise mainly from inputs from rivers and lakes, I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, (Water Quality Standards for Phosphorous) Regulations, 1998, which may colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government, made earlier this year. These regulations provide for specified improvements in water quality conditions in rivers and lakes based on phosphorous concentrations or related water quality classifications. The regulations also provide for periodic reporting in relation to progress in implementing the requirements of the regulations. These regulations give effect to certain requirements arising under Council Directive 76/464/EEC on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the community.
