Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to correct one thing the Minister of State said - it is not "alleged" pollution. While I appreciate that he did not write the reply, it is not "alleged" but real pollution. It is measured, shown in the video and it is a disgrace, as the Minister of State said. I agree with the action the Minister is taking in meeting his colleague in the North. However, we need to go further. As representatives of two different constituencies south of the Border, we should meet the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the Minister for the Environment in Northern Ireland, Mr. Durkan. That will show that it is not just the administration which is rightly and properly fully engaged in this. We, as Members of the Oireachtas, say "No" to the pollution of our drinking water and "No" to the poisons that are being discharged into the water supply for Dundalk. Deputy Kirk is exactly right on that. We are also saying "No" to the extremely negative effects on the future of our environment and the creation of jobs. I would suggest that we get together afterwards, meet the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and go up North to meet Minister Durkan and the public representatives from south Armagh to view the situation on the ground and to say, "Let it end forever". That is what this is about - finishing it off for good.

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