asked the Minister for Local Government the outcome of and the proposals made by the third meeting of Ministers of the Environment of the EEC which was held on the 16th October, 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - EEC Environment Meeting.
48.
The following were the main matters dealt with at the council meeting of Environment Ministers on 16th October, 1975.
There was a general discussion on the preliminary proposals of the Commission for a second action programme on the environment. It was agreed that the commission should prepare more specific proposals in the light of the discussion.
The council approved of a draft decision on the setting up of a common procedure for the preparation and updating of an inventory of sources of information on the environment in the community.
The council agreed on directives on the sulphur content of gas oils, and on the quality of bathing waters. Both of these measures have since been formally adopted.
Much of the meeting was taken up with consideration of a proposed decision on the reduction of pollution caused by the discharge of dangerous substances into Community waters. One of the main issues was as to the basis on which the control of discharges was to be determined. This and a number of other outstanding points were not resolved at that meeting but agreement on all essentials was reached at a further council meeting on 8th December, when the Committee of Permanent Representatives was instructed to examine remaining details with a view to a final decision on the measure.