asked the Taoiseach if he will consider establishing a single governmental institution to deal with environmental problems.
3.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Problems.
2.
asked the Taoiseach if he will consider appointing the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance as Minister for the Environment and give him responsibility for the Wildlife Bill and other matters relating to the quality of life.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together. I would refer the Deputy to the reply to a similar question on the 24th April, 1974.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that in most democratic countries there is an individual in charge of environmental matters and in view of the apparent lack of co-ordination this year, Architectural Heritage Year, would he not reconsider this position?
Arrangements are in existence for the co-ordination of measures to deal with the environment. As the Deputy is probably aware, a number of Departments have individual responsibility and at present it is considered that to co-ordinate it under one person would complicate the arrangement.
Would the Taoiseach not agree that the Department of Lands and the Forestry Division would find themselves occasionally in conflict with the general aims and objectives of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.
That is what I mentioned, that a number of Departments are involved directly, and the suggestion that one would have responsibility might even further complicate the matter.
Would the Taoiseach not accept that it is precisely because there are a number of Departments involved that there is no overall co-ordination, leading, for example, to cases where State bodies who presumably are subject to the Department of Transport and Power are themselves some of the biggest culprits? Would the Taoiseach not accept that there is an immense feeling throughout the country of the need to have implemented an environmental programme not just related to mountains, rivers and lakes but to the environment in all its aspects and that this must be reflected in the constitution of the Government?
As I mentioned, there is an inter-departmental committee considering specific aspects of this. It has not yet reported and I think it would be a mistake to prejudge its findings in the matter.
Would the Taoiseach tell us whether the question of the proposed establishment of an oil refinery in Dublin Bay will be referred to this inter-departmental committee?
That is a separate matter.
It is not. It is very relevant. We are talking about environmental matters. The Taoiseach has said that there is an inter-departmental committee dealing with these matters. This is a matter of fundamental importance to the environmental of this city, and will this matter be referred to that committee?
I am sure the Committee will consider all relevant matters.
Would the Taoiseach agree that an inter-departmental committee was set up several years ago and there is no apparent result from its activities?
This inter-departmental committee was set up only in April, 1974.