Proposals for pig slurry disposal
Quinn asked when an interdepartmental committee would propose measures for the slurry problem; Fahey expected proposals well before the following winter and said the committee had been asked to report promptly.
I am aware of certain inter-departmental activities occurring at the moment because of the overlapping of the Departments of Agriculture and the Environment. Will the Minister of State tell the House when he expects the inter-departmental committee to submit firm proposals? Will they be submitted before next winter when the pig slurry problem will become acute once again?
Comment on this
I expect to have the proposals well in advance of any problems that may arise next winter. I do not want to hasten the committee unduly because it is a very difficult matter. I have already expressed the wish that a solution acceptable to all would be found. We have asked for a report as quickly as possible.