asked the Minister for the Environment the action he proposes to take to prevent pollution of the lakes of Killarney.

Control of water pollution is a matter for local authorities who have wide powers to do so under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.

I have approved the preparation of contract documents for improvements to the existing Killarney sewage treatment works which will include the provision of additional clarifier capacity, a first stage development of a new augmentation works and the provision of phosphorus removal equipment as a permanent feature of the treatment process. As well as improving the quality of the effluent from the treatment works this will enable the extension of the sewer upstream to serve a number of areas presently served by septic tanks.