Is the Minister aware of the EC directive published last week which restricts the dumping of sludge at sea? Will he say whether the impending legislation will incorporate provisions to prevent the dumping of sludge? Will he say what are the proposals envisaged to prevent the sludge boat leaving Dublin Bay and dumping in the Irish Sea?

There are very strict regulations with regard to the dumping of sludge already, controlling the amount, distance and so on. There is no pollution problem encountered with regard to the type of disposition with which Dublin Corporation are involved.

A final supplementary——

Please, Deputy, there are other Deputies wanting to ask questions also.

The EC directive published last week recommended legislation to prevent the dumping of all sludge in seas. That will mean that we in Ireland will have to cease dumping sludge at sea.

Yes, that will be the eventual objective.

Will it be incorporated in the legislation?

The final objective is to do away with it altogether.