asked the Minister for Local Government if he will outline the progress made since the conference of May, 1965 on the achievement of a rational distribution of the working population, of investment and of land use on a regional basis consistent with the fullest possible exploitation of human, material and financial resources and the production of a satisfactory environment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Protection.
30.
The Deputy does not indicate to which conference he is referring. There was a regional planning conference held under the auspices of An Foras Forbartha in May, 1965, which reviewed problems of regional planning in various countries and this may be what the Deputy has in mind. Such conferences are held from time to time to facilitate discussion and thought on the subjects examined.
As to the question of regional development, general Government policy seeks to secure a reasonable distribution of population and the spread of social and economic opportunities through all regions of the country. The aim is to promote development in underdeveloped areas and to create jobs locally so as to minimise population dislocation by internal migration or by emigration abroad. While there has been an overall increase in population of 5.7 per cent between 1961 and 1971, there are still regional imbalances to be corrected.
The capital provision for the infrastructure necessary for a wide range of development has been very substantially increased. In planning and development account is being taken of the need to use the country's resources to the best possible advantage and of the need to protect the environment and to create satisfactory conditions for living and working, and at the same time every encouragement is being afforded to facilitate the housing of people in their own areas.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government if any research is being undertaken with regard to permissible emission standards for sulphur oxides, dust and soot, motor car emissions and the maximum permissible limit for carbon monoxide in exhaust gases.
The pollutants mentioned by the Deputy are among those listed for early consideration under the EEC environment programme with a view, inter alia to filling research gaps in information needed to help establish suitable limits to the presence of pollutants in the environment and to develop appropriate standards.
Some research work has already been undertaken in this area at community level, and further research is planned.
Would the Minister not agree that there is yet quite a lot of fresh air in this country?
I would agree.
32.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he is prepared to lay down air quality standards.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will lay down an air quality criterion for determining the permissible upper limits of ambient concentrations of pollutants in various areas of Ireland.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Chomhairle, to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.
The development of control systems featuring environmental air quality standards based on appropriate criteria poses difficult problems and is under study internationally, in particular under the EEC environment programme. Any changes in our system that may be feasible or desirable in the light of that work will be considered in due course.
The regulation of air pollution here is at present based generally on the use of the best practical means of control in each case, or on compliance with conditions, including standards, attached to planning permission for particular projects. I may add that, as Deputy Loughnane says, there is a good deal of fresh air still in the country.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government if any experiments have taken place in this country to initiate desulphurisation techniques in respect of the air.
Desulphurisation is, I believe, carried out at the refinery at Whitegate. I do not know of any experiments.
Sulphur is among the pollutants listed for priority consideration under the EEC environment programme and I expect that certain possibilities for dealing with the general problem will be examined in that connection.
Is this Whitegate, County Clare or Whitegate, County Cork?
I would assume that it is Whitegate, County Cork.