asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries if he is aware of severe pollution on a 12-mile stretch of the River Barrow between Portarlington and Monasterevan; and, if so, if he will state the cause of the pollution and the steps he has taken to remedy the problem.

I am aware of the recent pollution in the River Barrow between Portarlington and Monasterevan. The Waterford Board of Conservators, which are responsible by statute for the protection of fish-bearing waters in this area, are investigating the matter. The board have not yet established the cause of the pollution and will take such action as may be warranted when they have completed their investigations.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that a certain amount of time has elapsed since this incident took place and that it should be quite easy to establish the source of the pollution? As no harm has been done up river from Portarlington one can assume that the pollution originated there. Does he not think it is important to ensure that further harm will not be done and that the source should be pinpointed straight away? Have his Department any plans in train for restocking that river or giving a grant towards the restocking of it?

I have one of the Department's engineers down there at present with a view to locating the source of the pollution. The board are also continuing their investigations. There will be proposals drawn up for restocking if, as I believe, it is necessary.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary not agree that far too long a time has elapsed and——

The Deputy has already put that question.

——the source of this poisoning should have been pinpointed by now.

As soon as this question was brought to my notice by Deputy Malone we got working on it——

It is because it is the business apparently of the board of conservators and also the business of the Department that nothing has been done about it over such a long period? The Parliamentary Secretary indicated that he and his Department did nothing about it until Deputy Malone put down a question. Something should have been done before now.

The board of conservators and the Department are co-ordinating their efforts.