Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's contribution. Sometimes when a Topical Issue is raised the question can be short and it may not spontaneously produce the right answer. I note that the scripted reply of the Minister states that the primary responsibility for the monitoring and management of water quality is the local authority under the Local Government (Water Pollution) Acts. While that is the case, local authorities are quite weak because in many cases they are understaffed and under resourced and I am sure Carlow County Council is no different from many others around the country, and it is difficult for it to try to do the kind of work it is expected to do in respect of water quality.

I would appreciate if something could be done to try to arrange a meeting as quickly as possible in order to resolve the issue. It is very poor that we have to come in here to try to get that to happen. If an angling organisation, environmental group or conservation group has an issue or someone involved in tourism who is trying to make a few bob out of whatever is happening on the river cannot meet with the proper organisations who have responsibility for it without having to raise it in the Dáil, it is a poor reflection on the situation. That issue must be addressed as well. I thank the Minister very much for his response.

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