Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 2002

Vol. 551 No. 2

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

Gerry Reynolds

Ceist:

340 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which his Department has provided positive incentives with the objective of elimination of pollution of waterways; the number of prosecutions taken by his Department in the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9752/02]

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

I refer to the reply to Question No. 159 of 28 February 2002 which outlines investment and other initiatives and incentives by my Department with the objective of eliminating water pollution.

I also refer to the reply to Question No. 400 of 7 March 2002 which summarises relevant enforcement activity by local authorities including prosecutions in the years 1997 to 1999, under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts. Information in respect of prosecutions taken by local authorities for the years 1995 and 1996 is set out in the following tabular statements. More detailed information on local authority water pollution control activities is available in my Department's quarterly Environment Bulletin which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

Water Pollution Prosecutions Initiated By Local Authorities in 1995 under the Local Government Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990

	ProsecutionsTaken	Convictions
Section 3:
General Offence of causing water pollution	17	11
Section 4:
Discharging trade effluent to water without, or in contravention of, a licence	7	1
Section 12:
Failing to take measures to prevent water pollution	14	11
Section 14:
Failing to report causing a water pollution incident	Not Available	2
Section 16:
Discharging trade effluent to a sewer without, or in contravention of, a licence	4	2
Totals	Not Available	27

Water Pollution Prosecutions Initiated By Local Authorities in 1996 under the Local Government Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990

	ProsecutionsTaken	Convictions
Section 3:
General Offence of causing water pollution	20	10
Section 4:
Discharging trade effluent to water without, or in contravention of, a licence	11	5

	ProsecutionsTaken	Convictions
Section 12:
Failing to take measures to prevent water pollution	9	8
Section 14:
Failing to report causing a water pollution incident	5	4
Section 16:
Discharging trade effluent to a sewer without, or in contravention of, a licence	10	4
Totals	55	31