Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the implications of the European Communities (Waste Water Treatment) (Prevention of Odours and Noise) Regulations 2005 on existing facilities such as those at Ringsend in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5229/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The European Communities (Waste Water Treatment) (Prevention of Odours and Noise) Regulations 2005 require sanitary authorities to ensure that new and existing waste water treatment plants under their control are operated and maintained so as to ensure that they avoid causing nuisance though odours or noise.

The regulations require each sanitary authority to maintain records of all environmental complaints related to the operation of the waste water treatment plants under their control. In addition, sanitary authorities are required to report annually to the Environmental Protection Agency on the steps taken to comply with the regulations and to report details of any incidents arising from odours or noise during that year in respect of any of their waste water treatment plants. Sanitary authorities are also required, on request from the agency, to furnish the agency with copies of complaint records relating to odours and noise from such plants.

The regulations will play an important role in promoting continuous improvement in the standards of waste water treatment plant operation.