Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
1487. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the steps he will take to address a serious risk to the highly vulnerable aquifer posed by a company's reinforcement project (details supplied) in counties Laois and Kilkenny particularly in view of the pollution incident that occurred in March 2018 during which kerosene entered the Fethard water supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15209/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1488. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he is satisfied that there is no risk to the groundwater, groundwater dependent habitats and highly vulnerable regionally important aquifer situated under counties Laois and Kilkenny reinforcement project substation in County Laois in view of the fact that operational risks did not form part of the environmental assessment of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15211/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1487 and 1488 together.
The project in question has been granted planning permission by An Bord Pleanála and environmental and other considerations would have been taken into account as part of the planning process.
Local authorities have a general responsibility for the monitoring, management, protection and improvement of water quality. The Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts 1977 and 1990 carry a general prohibition on the entry of any polluting matter to waters. The Environmental Protection Agency is the statutory body for investigating complaints of pollution and for the enforcement, both directly and through oversight of local authorities, of environmental legislation in Ireland.
Neither I nor my Department has any direct role in monitoring or supervising the delivery of water services or any pollution incidents arising therefrom.
