Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Dec 1998

Vol. 498 No. 1

Written Answers. - Environmental Pollution.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

288 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received or sought information from local authorities appertaining to incidence of pollution and the causes thereof in their jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26799/98]

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment and Local Government (Mr. D. Wallace)

Statutory responsibility for monitoring of pollution in the environment lies with local authorities. The Environmental Protection Agency also has responsibility in relation to activities licensed by the agency and as regards its functions generally in relation to environmental protection under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1992. The functions of the agency in this regard include supervision of the performance of statutory environmental functions by local authorities and the creation and maintenance of databases of information on the environment. National reports of the results of environmental monitoring by local authorities are compiled and published by the agency.

From time to time my Department requests local authorities to provide information on environmental monitoring for particular purposes. For example, authorities were asked in 1997 to carry out a repeat monitoring programme in respect of nitrate concentrations in freshwaters. This information is now being assessed for purposes of the requirements of Council Directive 91/678 concerning the protection of water against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. My Department also requests local authorities from time to time to provide information or reports on particular incidents of pollution.