asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received a complaint regarding the pollution of waterways at Connellstown, Enfield, County Meath, caused by effluent from a farm owned by a company (details supplied) discharging into a tributary of the Enfield Blackwater and the action being taken to prevent a recurrence of this pollution.

3.

asked the Minister for the Environment if he has received a report (details supplied) on pollution at Connellstown, Enfield, County Meath and if so, the action taken thereon.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.

Under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977, it is a matter for local authorities to investigate instances of pollution and take any necessary remedial action. I understand that a complaint concerning water pollution alleged to have been caused by effluent from this company's farm was investigated by Meath County Council in September last, when a bacteriological test on a water sample indicated that the water was fit for human consumption and that there was no indication of pollution.

I also understand that planning permissions for agricultural buildings provided by the company in question at Connellstown, Enfield, have been granted by the planning authority, subject to conditions. I am informed that the latest development by the company is currently the subject of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

As to the particulars furnished by the Deputies with the Questions, I have sent a copy of this material to Meath County Council for attention and have asked them to communicate with the Deputies in due course.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he not agree that this is a very serious matter which could possibly be fixed up quite easily? It is a question of fact of whether or not there is pollution. Would the Minister not agree that the suggestion made by the local people that, in fact, the sample of water which was analysed was taken out of a tap and not taken out of the river, if true, would be a very serious allegation?

Under the circumstances, would the Minister ask Meath County Council to have the whole matter reviewed? I am rather interested in seeing that this matter is straightened out. Could he ask Meath County Council as a matter of urgency to look into this?

Arising out of the Deputy's statement, I have no evidence that what the Deputy says is correct. I have asked Meath County Council to investigate the matter fully. I have also asked them, as I said in my reply, to communicate with the Deputies who have tabled the questions. The matter is receiving urgent attention.

Could I ask the Minister when the material for the question was furnished to the county council by him?

Quite recently. No report, as such, came to my Department as regards this matter. It, however, came to our notice and we contacted Meath County Council, as the responsible body in this matter. They have the responsibility as regards water pollution.

Would the Minister not agree that it is quite evident that the local people, unless they felt that there was something seriously wrong, would not have gone to the trouble that they have gone to? Would the Minister not agree that, in the interests of the organisation concerned, he should try to get the matter cleared up as quickly as possible and not simply say the water was all right and that they would have to put up with it, even though the lives of people may in consequence, depend on whether or not it is all right?

I should like to make the position clear to the Deputies. I am sure both Deputies are well aware that Meath County Council are the authority responsible for the investigation of water pollution in their area and they carried out the investigation. It is their responsibility to do so. They have been asked by my Department to treat this as a matter of urgency and have been asked to report to the Deputies concerned. I have confidence that Meath County Council will do this and have every confidence, also, that the Deputies will follow up the matter.

I have experience of what a prod from the Department will do to a local authority.

They have got the prod.

Has Deputy Bruton a useful question to ask?

Very useful, as always. The question I should like to ask the Minister is, would he not agree that the information was furnished to his Department approximately a month ago and would he not further agree that if it had been supplied then to the county council, it would be reasonable to expect that the county council could have had a reply to him in time to form a definitive reply in relation to the material supplied, for inclusion in the reply that he has given to the House today?

Of course, delay in replying is a matter for Meath County Council. If there is a delay, we shall be reminding them of the matter.

Their reply has not been lost in the post?

The matter is primarily their responsibility.

4.