This article is from page 15 of the 2006-10-31 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
WATERWAYS Ireland is carrying out a series of inspections to ascertain whether cruise boat companies are complying with by-laws which prohibit the dumping of toilet waste into canals, rivers and lakes.
The move follows recent claims that a leading Irish cruise boat company told a customer to dump the contents of their on-board toilet into the River Shannon. Waterways Ireland has also said that this was the first complaint of its kind it had received but that it immediately launched an investigation. Clare County Council has also initiated a probe of the claims.
A Waterways Ireland spokesperson said the complaint was the first of its kind to come to their notice and an investigation was initiated immediately. They had also instigated a phased programme of inspection of vessels to ascertain the extent of non-compliance with the by-laws. However, Waterways Ireland said it would not necessarily prosecute the company at the centre of the allegations.
“If a customer is found to have breached the by-laws, Waterways Ireland would advise them of the breach. If the company rectifies the situation, Waterways Ireland would deem the matter settled. If the situation isn’t rectified then we would consider taking the matter further,” the spokesperson said.
According to the Shannon Navigation by-laws, “A toilet fitted to a vessel shall be so constructed and fitted as to prevent polluting matter from being discharged or passing into the navigation”.
Waterways Ireland provides pumpout facilities at some locations along the Shannon, others are provided and maintained by the relevant local authorities at other sites along the river.