asked the Minister for Local Government if he will supplement moneys made available by local chambers of commerce to fight pollution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Anti-Pollution Measures.
24.
There are no funds at my disposal from which it would be possible for me to supplement any such moneys.
Would there be moneys available to the Departments of Lands or Finance——
I should not think there would be for this particular matter. I am not even sure that the bodies referred to in the question are doing what Deputy Lemass has suggested. It is a wide question and the answer is as I have given it.
Perhaps the Minister would consider this matter when he is drafting the Bill on pollution.
The question of pollution is being dealt with fully in the Planning Bill and if Deputy Lemass sits in during the debate on some of the sections he will become aware that it will go a long way.
We should have a Bill on wildlife.
Unfortunately I could not do that. The Deputy might talk to the Minister concerned.
25.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will arrange for a scientific review of the impact of air pollution by automobiles on human health.
While specific health effects studies would be a matter for consideration by the Minister for Health, I may say that I am not aware of any evidence that vehicle pollution is the cause of a health problem in this country.
I may add that Dublin Corporation have been monitoring for lead in the ambient air at a point in O'Connell Street for some time. It is too soon to draw firm conclusions but the initial returns suggest that the concentrations, even there, are quite low and not such as to give cause for concern about health effects.
As I mentioned in my reply to a previous question by the Deputy on this matter, air pollutants associated with vehicles are among those receiving special study under the EEC environment programme. A number of specific measures are now emerging, including standards which have been adopted for the manufacture of engines and a draft directive on the lead content of petrol which is at present under consideration.
Departments concerned will have opportunities of taking part in the development of other appropriate control measures in the future.