Enforcement of water pollution law
Deasy criticised local authorities’ enforcement of the Water Pollution Act and proposed giving enforcement powers to boards of conservators. Fahey acknowledged weak local-authority action and few prosecutions, but said it was too early to change the law; he had conveyed his concern to the authorities.
Will the Minister not agree that legislation has been ineffective because the method of implementation by local authorities has been a failure? Does he consider the enforcement authority should be the boards of conservators not local authorities who are often the prime polluters?
Comment on this
The Water Pollution Act has not been in existence for very long and its operation is being looked at closely. I am disappointed by lack of action on the part of local authorities. They have been requested on many occasions to give this matter serious attention. I read out to the House the small number of prosecutions which have been taken. In two cases mentioned a fine was not imposed; there was a fine in only one case that was brought by a local authority. I am well aware that the matter needs special attention but I think it would be premature to make changes at this stage.