Vol. 538 No. 3
252 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the location and source in each case in relation to licences for the production of bottled water; if he will give an assurance that all sources are completely pollution free and that the waters in each case conform to the highest standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/01]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 49 on 30 May 2001 in relation to the quality of drinking water in public water supply schemes and in group water supply schemes, including source protection measures, which are of relevance in so far as these schemes or sources may serve as sources for bottled waters. Information is not available in my Department as to the sources of bottled waters.
Responsibility at ministerial level in relation to bottled waters is assigned primarily to the Minister for Health and Children who has made regulations, SI No. 461 of 1998, in relation to the labelling, treatment and trade requirements for natural mineral waters. These regulations come within the scope of food legislation in the context of the functions of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Certain functions are assigned to sanitary authorities at present under regulations made in 1988, SI No. 81 of 1988, in relation to the monitoring of bottled waters, other than natural mineral waters.
I am not aware of any particular legislation which imposes a requirement to obtain a licence for the production of bottled water. A comprehensive voluntary standard, ISO 432, 2001, in relation to bottled waters is operated by the National Safety Standards Authority of Ireland and relates, inter alia, to source monitoring, source protection and management, quality testing, packaging and labelling.
