Clare County Council has confirmed it is investigating the contents of a letter which has alleged that a leading Irish hire cruiser company told customers to dump toilet waste directly into the River Shannon.
A spokesperson for Carrick on Shannon based Emerald Star confirmed last night that the company is investigating the contents of the letter including the allegation that a staff member gave an instruction to dump toilet waste into the river.
"This matter is being investigated as we speak by the company but we cannot comment on the contents of a letter between a private individual and the company."
The spokesperson added: "The wider issue of the disposal of waste and the provision of pump-out stations is currently being discussed by a number of boating companies and Waterways Ireland. There are a large number of people involved in these talks including local authorities."
The toilets on hire cruisers are attached to holding tanks that are normally emptied by pump to special handling facilities at jetties along the river.
However, the 1,800-word letter had been sent to the company in question as well as to local authorities with responsibility for the Shannon and Lough Derg. It details observations and complaints about the company under a number of headings including service, cleanliness, training, equipment and health and safety.
The letter opened with the following: "Firstly, let me stress that both myself and my partner had a fantastic holiday and thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful beauty and natural scenery the Shannon has to offer; however let me stress somewhat more strongly, that this had nothing to do with your service."
Later in the correspondence the man writes: "Having enquired about pump-out stations for waste matter we were specifically instructed by our 'Trainer' to dump our toilets directly into the Shannon. When I expressed disbelief and disgust at this, we were informed 'everyone does it'."