Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 839: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources when the inter-Departmental or Public Authority Committee will report to him in respect of each designated area established under European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations 2006; how extensive these reports will be; the action he will take in respect of cases where proper standards are not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28168/06]

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 857: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the measures in place to protect bays from pollution; the international laws which have been enacted to protect Irish waters from pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28842/06]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 839 and 857 together.

In general the protection of water quality in coastal bays is the responsibility of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. The Minister for Transport also has responsibilities relating to the prevention of pollution from shipping.

The Department has responsibility for the implementation of the EU Shellfish Waters Directive, which is concerned with the quality of shellfish waters and applies to those waters that have been designated by Member States as needing protection or improvement in order to support shellfish growth. In all there are 14 areas designated under the European Communities (Quality of Shellfish Waters) Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 268 of 2006).

The Department has established an inter-Departmental/Public Authority Committee with a view to monitoring the programmes established under the Regulations in respect of each designated area. The Committee met for the first time on the 29 June 2006 and discussed, inter alia, the critical issues and objectives associated with the implementation of the Shellfish Waters Directive across all relevant public policy areas. Members of the Committee have been reporting back to the Department on these issues over the summer period.

The Committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday 28 September 2006 for consideration of the reports received. It is expected that an outline timeframe for the completion of the Committee's work will be possible following the next meeting.