Ireland is to be sent an initial warning letter for non-compliance with a European Commission directive relating to sewage sludge used in agriculture.
The sludge can pose a serious threat to water. The directive provides for quality controls, record-keeping and avoidance of heavy metals building up in soil.
The Commission stated that a first warning letter sent to Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Italy and Portugal related to the failure to provide information for 1995 to 1997, which was due in September 1998.
However, a Department of Environment spokesman said yesterday that the warning letter had not yet been received. The Department wanted to look at the letter and see exactly what was in it. "We didn't think we were in breach of anything," the spokesman said.
Mr Pronsias De Rossa (Lab) and Ms Patricia McKenna (Greens) both criticised the Government. Mr De Rossa said that despite repeated warnings from the Commission over the past few years the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, had failed to ensure that information on the quantity and content of sludge used in agriculture was forwarded.
Ms McKenna said: "Sewage sludge is treated human waste. It would contain very high concentrations of phosphates and toxic metals which could easily pollute water supplies and the food we eat. Therefore, it is essential that it is thoroughly monitored."