asked the Minister for Health if there is any relationship between the air pollution in Dublin and the respiratory deaths in the Dublin area.
12.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Air Pollution.
11.
asked the Minister for Health if he considers that there is a health risk associated with living in close proximity to air heavily polluted with cement dust; what is the air pollution rate in Dublin city and in London, if available; if any area of Dublin has a heavier air pollution than the average for the city of London; and whether he has any evidence that there is an association between air pollution and death from respiratory tract diseases such as chronic bronchitis.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take questions numbers 11 and 12 together.
I understand that there may be a health risk associated with living in close proximity to air heavily polluted with cement dust.
I am advised that there is an association between air pollution and death from respiratory tract diseases, such as chronic bronchitis. I am not, however, aware of any precise information showing a correlation between air pollution and deaths from respiratory diseases in Dublin.
My Department is not responsible for the measurement of air pollution and I am not in a position to furnish the information requested regarding comparative levels of air pollution in Dublin and London.
Would the Minister state which Department has responsibility for measuring air pollution? He has already stated there is an association between deaths from respiratory diseases and air pollution.
The Department of Local Government.
Would the Minister not think it advisable that there should be a close liaison between the Department of Health and the Department of Local Government in this matter because of the high rate of air pollution and the increase in respiratory diseases? Would it not be a good thing to have this matter under the control of the Minister for Health?
The same anomalous situation exists in regard to water. The responsibility of the Department of Health arises only when actual pollution occurs either in drinking water or water used for swimming. It is a situation that should be cleared up.
I suggest the Minister should tell the Taoiseach that he should rationalise his Ministries——
That is a separate matter.
I do not think it is a question of rationalising Ministries and I do not think the Taoiseach comes into it at all.
There is no close liaison between Ministries.