340 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extent to which his Department has provided positive incentives with the objective of elimination of pollution of waterways; the number of prosecutions taken by his Department in the years 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9752/02]

I refer to the reply to Question No. 159 of 28 February 2002 which outlines investment and other initiatives and incentives by my Department with the objective of eliminating water pollution.

I also refer to the reply to Question No. 400 of 7 March 2002 which summarises relevant enforcement activity by local authorities including prosecutions in the years 1997 to 1999, under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts. Information in respect of prosecutions taken by local authorities for the years 1995 and 1996 is set out in the following tabular statements. More detailed information on local authority water pollution control activities is available in my Department's quarterly Environment Bulletin which is available in the Oireachtas Library.

Water Pollution Prosecutions Initiated By Local Authorities in 1995 under the Local Government Water Pollution Acts 1977 and 1990