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Dáil Éireann - Volume 267 - 24 July, 1973 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Pollution. Mr. Andrews Mr. Andrews 24. Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries the features of the environment in the context of pollution which are dealt with in his Department. Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: My Department have statutory control under the Fisheries Acts over pollution of the environment in relation to fish-bearing waters. The Department, of course, take all practical measures, through their farm buildings grants scheme and through the agricultural advisory services, to ensure that effluent from farm buildings such as silos and piggeries does not cause pollution of water resources. In accordance with the budget announcement of new anti-pollution incentives, arrangements have also been made to bring into operation from 1st August next a scheme of grants towards the purchase of slurry disposal equipment. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: May I ask the Minister the number of inspectors employed to look into this aspect of it? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: About eight. Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell Dr. O'Connell: Would the Minister think they would be sufficient? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: I just would not know. Mr. Tunney Mr. Tunney Mr. Tunney: As the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, would the Minister not accept that he was responsible for the polluted condition of the river Tolka and for the number of fish that have been destroyed there over the last few weeks? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: It depends to some extent on the source of the pollution. Mr. Tunney Mr. Tunney Mr. Tunney: Am I to take it from what the Minister says that he is interested only in the fish and in the means by which they are polluted? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: No, but it could be the responsibility of another Minister. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney 1564 [1564] Mr. Blaney: Could I ask the Minister in so far as he is concerned with the prevention of pollution, and for buildings or structures, what qualifications have the inspectors who are charged with this responsibility? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: I assume that they have appropriate qualifications for the job for which they were employed. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Which job are they employed for? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: To control the pollution. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Are they in charge of farm buildings or pollution? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: Both go together. They have responsibility in connection with farm effluent. Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney Mr. Blaney: Could the Minister inquire whether in all cases such structures or buildings as are being built, before they have been approved, must be referred to these eight inspectors whom the Minister has indicated exist at the moment, and whether they are fully qualified? Are the eight inspectors capable of examining all farm buildings applications from the point of view of preventing pollution? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: It is a question of estimating the quantities of effluent from a given number of livestock and how to control and confine that. I do not think one would require any particular qualifications in order to make such estimates. Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham Mr. Cunningham: Would the Minister say how many, if any, prosecutions have been taken in the past 12 months? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: I am afraid I cannot supply that information. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey 1565 Mr. Haughey: On the question of the erection of piggeries, will the Minister confirm that I am right in my understanding that if a piggery is erected a certain distance from the main road planning permission is not required, and that the only prohibiting power the Minister has is that of refusing to give a grant if the piggery does not conform to what he thinks is [1565] correct in regard to pollution? Has the Minister any other powers at his disposal, such as licensing, which would enable him to prevent the erection of piggeries which are clearly going to be a source of pollution in the future? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: No, except if a person is looking for a grant. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: I know about the grants. Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: If a person does not require a grant, the Deputy is right in saying that he can go ahead and put up a farm building, but the sanitary authority have power to come in. Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey Mr. Haughey: The Minister's power is restricted to refusing the grant? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: Yes. Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons Mr. J. Gibbons: Does the Minister not agree that, while the question of pollution from establishments like pig-feeding units is very severe, there is a tendency on the part of the public and a good many people to distort the amount of river pollution which is caused by farm animals? A far greater degree of pollution is caused by industrial projects of one type or another. Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke: In view of the lack of power, has the Minister any intention of taking power to control the pollution caused by piggeries? Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton Mr. Clinton: There is a sufficient measure of control at the moment, because the sanitary authority have power to move in if a nuisance is being created. Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke: Is the Minister aware—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: We must pass on to the next question. Deputies are extending altogether the scope of this question. Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke Mr. R.P. Burke: We are still on piggeries and pollution caused by them. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: The Chair has given a lot of latitude on this question. We must pass on to the next question. Dáil Éireann 267 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Environmental Pollution. Questions 19730724
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