asked the Minister for the Environment whether he has made any regulations since assuming office in relation to the quality of bathing waters; if so, the nature of such regulations; and the authority under which they were made.

9.

asked the Minister for the Environment the EEC measures in force and under consideration in relation to the pollution of bathing waters; and, in relation to the measures under consideration, the progress to date and the likely timetable for adoption.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.

The EEC directive concerning the quality of bathing water was notified to member states on 10 December 1975. The directive requires member states to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the directive within two years of its notification, that is, 10 December 1977.

The object of the directive is to ensure that the quality of bathing waters will comply with prescribed standards within ten years. The directive applies only to bathing places in which bathing is explicitly authorised or in which bathing is not prohibited and is traditionally practised by large numbers of bathers. This limits its application in Irish conditions but monitoring of water quality is being carried out in a number of areas.

No new statutory provisions were required to implement the directive in this country. The Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, provides any specific statutory powers required for the purpose. The EEC Commission were so informed on 22 December 1977, and also furnished with details of the steps taken to implement the directive. In so far as I am aware, no further EEC measures on bathing water are contemplated at present.

Does the Minister of State anticipate any difficulty in bringing the bathing waters directive into force?

The Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, provides any specific statutory powers required for the purpose. The object of this directive is to ensure that the quality of bathing waters, sea water and fresh water, will comply with specified standards within ten years of its notification. This applies to waters in which bathing is explicitly authorised by the competent authorities or where bathing is traditionally practised by a large number of people. The directive does not define "large numbers".

(Cavan-Monaghan): Is the Minister of State satisfied that he can bring these directives into force and implement them? That is what the Deputy asked.

I am reasonably satisfied.

Has the Minister of State in his brief the information with regard to the maximum fines in the context of the Act?

No, I have not.

May I suggest that they are derisory and do not meet the standards——

Question No. 10.

(Cavan-Monaghan): What does the Minister of State mean by saying that he is reasonably satisfied he can bring these directives into force and implement them?

That is very obtuse.

(Cavan-Monaghan): It is not.

I am as happy as any man could be in such a situation. The EEC directive concerning the quality of bathing waters was notified to member states on 10 December 1975. The directive requires member states to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative procedures necessary to comply with the directive within two years of its notification, that is, 10 December 1977.

(Cavan-Monaghan): If the Minister of State is as happy as anybody can be, he is easily amused.