asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has now found it desirable to appoint at least one officer in his Department to deal with matters relating to the environment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environment Officer.
43.
I have not found it necessary or desirable to appoint an officer of my Department to deal solely with matters relating to the environment.
In my reply on 25th October, 1973, to the Deputy's previous question on this matter I indicated that several officers in the industries and commerce divisions of my Department were involved in matters which have environmental aspects. Close liaison is maintained between my Department and the Industrial Development Authority and the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards, two State bodies for which I am responsible and which are involved in the protection of the environment. My Department also maintain liaison with other Departments which are involved in environmental matters.
Have the IDA any experts on environment matters whose advice is taken into consideration before advice being passed to the Minister?
I shall try to give a precise answer here. The expertise in respect of such aspects of environmental matters which are purely scientific, for example, levels of gases, levels of oxidisable materials in rivers and levels of sulphur dioxide in air, is in the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards but the expertise in applying the scientific methods and in requiring companies to comply with rules is within the IDA.
Will environmental matters be part and parcel of any decision in relation to IDA grants?
Absolutely. It is an important condition in respect of IDA grants that environmental considerations are complied with by the applicant company.