Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Under the EU constitution, environmentalists have the power to deal with these issues. The Minister is committed to following these powers.

In the context of the complaint about Ringsend, to which Deputy Sargent referred, the Commission criticises Ireland for not having rules relating to odour from waste water plants. The draft binding rules are being finalised by the Department to comply with this requirement. The reality is that Ringsend and the new water treatments plants throughout the country have been built and operated to the highest European standards. They are all new. The work has been carried out with the help of European funding. We followed the Commission's directions in this regard. The reality is that the rules will not prevent odours arising from time to time while a new plant is being commissioned and settling. This is the technical advice we have been given. Obviously these issues must be addressed by the builders and operators of the plants, and they are endeavouring to do so.

On the other issues, we are not out of line with other countries. When the environmental commissioner issues reports, we do our utmost to deal fully with them and improve our standards, which is being done.

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