§ Mr. McCuskerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many privately operated electricity generating turbines are installed on rivers in Northern Ireland; and which Government Department has responsibility for permitting and overseeing their operation.
§ Mr. ViggersNo central register of privately operated electricity generating turbines is held by Northern Ireland Government Departments and thus the information sought is not available.
No one Government Department has overall responsibility for privately operated electricity generating turbines on rivers. The Northern Ireland Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Economic Development have statutory responsibilities for installations affecting the flow in a particular watercourse for water abstraction and for health and safety at work considerations arising from the operation of such turbines.