Howlin called on to clarify Supreme Court ruling

FIANNA Fail has called on the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, to clarify the implications for local authorities, following the Shannon Regional Fisheries Board's landmark Supreme Court victory on pollution.

The board's case against Cavan County Council arose over a pollution incident on a tributary of Lough Sheelin in 1991. This month's ruling clears the way for local authorities to be prosecuted under the fisheries acts.

Fianna Fail's environment spokesman, Mr Noel Dempsey, welcomed the implications, if it meant that development depended on provision of adequate infrastructure, such as sewerage.

The court's ruling has been welcomed by the Ballyglasson Edgeworthstown Action Group in Longford. It is long past time when local authorities were made to take responsibility for their action, or inaction, in relation to protection of our environment" BEAG said in a statement.

The Shannon Regional Fisheries Board has welcomed EU funding for improved water and sewerage schemes on the Lough Ree catchment.

But it will continue to seek implementation of all the Environmental Protection Agency's recommendations on lakes Ree and Derg.