Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 6

Written Answers. - Pollution Control.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

175 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he carried out any geological study to check the dangers of a spillage of effluent from specified risk material on unlicensed premises at Glencaum, Grenagh, County Cork. [10731/00]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

176 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development the reasons, if any, an unlicensed premises without planning permission in County Cork can handle specified risk material for 12 months without being closed. [10732/00]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

177 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he is concerned with inflicting serious disease on the local and adjoining large dairy herd as a result of the unlicensed premises at Glencaum, Grenagh, County Cork. [10733/00]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

178 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development if he can guarantee the water quality from wells of farms adjoining premises at Glencaum, Grenagh, County Cork; and if this water will remain free of prion, which causes BSE and new variant CJD, if the specified risk material continues to be dumped at the unlicensed premises. [10734/00]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Rural Development (Mr. Walsh):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 175 to 178, inclusive, together.

The premises referred to by the Deputy are currently being upgraded towards the licensing standards contained in the Diseases of Animals (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) (Specified Risk Material) Order, 1997, (SI 80 of 1997) and the European Communities (Knackery) Regulations, 1996 Order (SI 396 of 1996). Veterinary officials of my Department have inspected the premises on a number of occasions over recent months and the owner has been made aware of the conditions and the outstanding related modifications for licensing under these regulations. A further inspection of the premises will be arranged shortly. Failure to meet the requisite standards will result in proceedings to close the premises.

Recent inspections by Department officials have not indicated any major disease risks from these premises and the purpose of these centres is to improve the collection system for offal and specified risk material to protect public and animal health from potential risk. The issue of planning permission is not one for my Department and is a matter for the relevant local authority.