Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the EU directive on the necessity for proper sewage treatment plants to ensure pollution-free shellfish will be implemented; the role his Department has in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16217/05]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the directive to which the Deputy is referring is Council directive of 30 October 1979 on the quality required of shellfish waters, 79/923/EEC. This directive was transposed in Ireland by the Quality of Shellfish Waters Regulations 1994, SI 200 of 1994, as amended by the Quality of Shellfish Waters (Amendment) Regulations, 2001, SI 459 of 2001. The regulations require the establishment of programmes to ensure that designated waters conform to the quality standards specified in the regulations. There are 14 such areas at present, and steps are being taken, as a matter of priority, to ensure that programmes are put in place in respect of these areas. Work is in train also on proposals for the designation of further areas.