Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 356: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the EU Directives regarding the quality of waste water issued to seas in Member State coasts; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that these Directives are being breached every day at Carlingford Lough, County Louth by Louth County Council through discharges from a sewerage scheme at Omeath; the plans he has to end this practice and its adverse effects on shellfish in the Lough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26664/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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EU Directives dealing with the quality of waste water generally are a matter in the first instance for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. I have, however, responsibility for the transposition and implementation of Directive 79/923/EEC of 30 October 1979 on the quality required of shellfish waters. On 22 May 2006 I made Regulations entitled the European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations, 2006 (S.I. No. 268 of 2006) providing for the further transposition of this Directive. One of the areas designated as a shellfish waters under the Regulations is Carlingford Lough.

My Department has, on foot of the making of these Regulations, written to a number of public authorities and agencies whose functions may affect shellfish waters, including all local authorities, drawing their attention to their obligations under the Regulations. These obligations include promoting compliance with the Regulations and, in particular, ensuring that, as far as practicable, the shellfish waters comply with the quality standards specified in Schedule 2 of the Regulations, and taking such action, consistent with the performance of its functions, as will secure compliance with the Regulations and with any programme established by me in accordance with the Regulation. I have established an action programme in respect of each designated area as required by the Regulations. My Department through an inter-Departmental/Public Authority Committee recently established for that purpose will monitor these programmes over time.