asked the Minister for the Environment if he will approximate the percentage figure for transboundary air pollution to this country principally for acid rain and its components.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trans-Boundary Air Pollution.
10.
Information of the kind referred to in the question is available only in relation to the deposition of sulphur (dry and wet).
Data from the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (EMEP) for the period from October 1980 to May 1981 and from March 1982 to November 1982 in relation to estimated emissions and depositions of sulphur shows that during that period some 28 per cent of the total deposition of sulphur in Ireland resulted from sources in Ireland. A further 30 per cent resulted from emissions in other EC countries; some 3 per cent resulted from emissions in non EC countries; and the source of 39 per cent of depositions was undetermined. These estimates are based on computer models designed to predict transboundary fluxes and depositions of sulphur throughout Europe. The work of updating sulphur emission inventories in the EMEP context is continuing.
It would appear that we obtain a sizeable amount of Trans-local pollution in the country. Should we not try to set an example to other European countries by not being seen as a country that would in effect subscribe to acid rain through prevailing winds to the Scandanavian countries and to Scotland? That is my point in talking about the Money-point plant. I ask the Minister to do all he can to ensure that emissions from that plant will not pollute other countries?
We are responsible for less than 1 per cent of the emissions. Our record is good. Very heavy cost factors are involved in this and one would not want to commit any industry to something that might have serious repercussions on other industries.
The Minister said he would deal with whether emissions from Ireland would give rise to acid rain. Are we being affected in the way it has been alleged other countries are being affected by emissions from Britain — apparently a number of Scandanavian countries are? Have we had contact with Britain about possible environmental damage to Ireland?
As I indicated in my reply, 30 per cent of the deposition of sulphur in Ireland resulted from emissions in other EC countries, 3 per cent from non-EC countries and 39 per cent has been undetermined. The figures are: Belgium, 1.6 per cent, France, 4.7 per cent, West Germany, 3.1 per cent, Ireland, 28.1 per cent, the Netherlands, 1.6 per cent, the UK, 18.8 per cent and other countries not in the EC, 3.1 per cent.