asked the Minister for Local Government if he has any proposals to deal with lead pollution in the Clondalkin, County Dublin, area.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Dublin Pollution.
26.
As indicated by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health in reply to Question No. 24 on 2nd May, 1973, the operation of controls over atmospheric pollution, as they relate to lead pollution from fixed installations, is being reviewed. Pending the outcome of this review steps are being taken with a view to ensuring that the best practicable means are used to minimise the emission of lead into the atmosphere from such installations, including one in Clondalkin.
I put down the question to the Minister for Health. I thought the Minister for Local Government was going to tell me something when he answered it. Is the Minister aware that there are vegetables growing in this area and that they are being polluted by lead? Possibly these vegetables are a danger to public health. Has the Minister any proposals to ensure that these vegetables will not be sold on the public market?
This is not my problem. I will do whatever can be done to ensure that the emission of lead into the atmosphere is stopped. If this had been done 12 months ago there would be no vegetables affected by such pollution around Clondalkin.
Am I to take it that this question should have been answered by the Minister for Health and that he just "passed the buck".
I am sure that Deputy Lemass will eventually find a Minister who will give him an answer which he likes.
I am concerned about public health and public safety. I would like to know if any member of the Government is concerning himself with this matter of ensuring that any vegetables that have been contaminated will be purchased and destroyed?
That is not the question which the Deputy put down. The question related to lead pollution in the Clondalkin area. I have given a reply to the Deputy indicating that the necessary investigations are being carried out with a view to having something done about the problem. It is because nothing was done about the position before now that there are lead-polluted vegetables in Clondalkin. The question of the polluted vegetables in Clondalkin is something that should have been dealt with by somebody else. It is not the problem of the present Government.
The Minister loves making excuses. This is the first time this complaint has been made.
When were these vegetables planted?
We seem to be getting into an argument on this matter.
The Deputy was long enough on this side of the House to know that sometimes when questions are put down they are rephrased somewhat. I put down the same question to the Minister as I put down to the Minister for Health. The question is slightly rephrased here. My concern is about public health. I would like to know which Minister will accept responsibility in this matter.
This is something which has not occurred just since the 14th March. The pollution has been affecting these vegetables. This is regrettable. Something could have been done to have this problem investigated at a much earlier stage. The position now is that I have arranged for the works to be examined by an air pollution specialist. When his report is received the findings and recommendations which call for action will be examined and the matter will be taken up with the operators of the works concerned. What the former Parliamentary Secretary wanted to know was whether I could do something about the vegetables. I do not know whether he wanted me to collect them and wash them. I would suggest that Deputy Lemass might do so himself.