asked the Minister for the Environment if he proposes to introduce legislation on the sale of lead-free petrol; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Lead-Free Petrol.
672.
The European Communities (Lead Content of Petrol) (Amendment) Regulations, 1982 which came into operation on 1 September 1982 reduced the maximum permissible lead level in petrol marketed in this country from 0.64 to 0.40 grammes per litre and brought this country fully into line with present EEC requirements. The extent to which lead levels can be further reduced or totally eliminated in Ireland depends in part, on the action taken by other countries to achieve improved standards. It is also linked to refining operations at Whitegate and the technical ability of motor vehicles to use lead-free petrol. I am informed by my colleague, the Minister for Industry and Energy, that the Irish National Petroleum Company are awaiting the results of studies on lead content which were commissioned shortly after Whitegate was reopened in September 1982.