Vol. 355 No. 7
asked the Minister for the Environment the research which has been carried out in this country in relation to the effects of acid rain on our environment; the results of any such research; and whether any legislation is to be introduced to deal with this problem in this country.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment the steps which have been taken by this country at an international level to ensure that Ireland is fully protected in the future from serious environmental damage being caused by acid rain.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together.
While this country is neither a significant contributor to, or receiver of, transboundary air pollution, it has participated fully in the action taken at international level to combat the causes of damage to the environment from the effects of acid rain. Moreover, a positive attitude has been adopted to EC proposals in relation to air quality standards for sulphur dioxide, suspended particulates, lead and nitrogen dioxide; the combating of air pollution from industrial plant and the elimination of lead from petrol. Ireland, together with the other EC member states, is a party to the Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution under which contracting states have undertaken to limit and, as far as possible, gradually to reduce emissions of polluting substances which contribute to acid rain and to engage in research and the collection of data of the causes and levels of acidity in rainfall. In addition, Ireland participates in the EMEP — the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme — which provides data on acid deposition and its origins.
Acidity in rainfall is monitored by the Meteorological Service on a monthly basis at eight meteorological stations and on a daily basis at the station in Valentia. While the considerable volume of data assembled indicates an overall trend towards increased acidity, levels are, however, still generally satisfactory when compared with more industrialised countries.
In 1982, An Foras Forbartha, with partial funding from the EC, commenced a study involving extensive and specific rainfall analyses at a range of stations in the Dublin region. The project, which was originally scheduled to terminate at end-November 1984 will run until February 1986. The results so far suggest that an incipient problem exists on the eastern seaboard. However, they are not definitive and must be regarded primarily as an initial batch of data which will serve, inter alia, as the foundation for future work programmes. A further study by An Foras which commenced in early 1984, and is scheduled to run for two years, aims to establish a well defined baseline for those lakes susceptible to damage from acid deposition by means of extensive physical chemical and biological studies on lake and rain waters in two areas in the east and west of the country.
Research on the effects of acid rain on buildings is being undertaken at Trinity College, Dublin, using rainfall data collected at the college. The college also hope to carry out, as resources permit, additional chemical determinations on soil and air using the data at their disposal.
In the light of national and international requirements the preparation of comprehensive new air pollution legislation under way in my Department.
Arising from the Minister's very detailed reply, he referred to an overall trend of increased acidity and an acidity problem developing on the eastern seaboard. Could the Minister clarify the exact nature of the problem? What impact has been evident from the research done to date? Is the Minister satisfied that the problem will not grow to the proportions it reached in Scandinavia and Germany where the extent of the problem was discovered well after the damage was done? What action will be taken to ensure that any increased acidity on the eastern seaboard does not have the effect of causing permanent environmental damage to rivers and lakes?
The study indicated a slight increase on the eastern seaboard. It did not indicate any other pattern. There are EC directives with regard to lead and petrol emissions from cars. We are looking at the large combustion plants. These will all have a significant effect in controlling acid rain. Even with a slight increase on the eastern seaboard our problem is still lower than it is in other countries. I am not saying we should be satisfied with that, or that we should leave it at that. We are very much aware of the problem. In countries like Germany and France and other industrial countries they are taking this matter very seriously. In time this will have beneficial effects right across the board. We are fortunate that we have not been plagued with this acid rain problem. The global measures being taken will have a significant impact in the future on protecting our environment.
In the context of the increase which has been evident on the eastern seaboard is it yet known what the origin of this increase is? Is our environment being affected due to emissions from Britain? Have any representations been made in this regard in the light of representations made by Scandinavian countries and Germany to Britain in relation to the contributory effects of British emissions giving rise to acid rain throughout Europe?
I am at a bit of a disadvantage. The next question will deal with that.
I am far from satisfied with the information the Minister has given to the House. The Minister is speaking for the Minister for the Environment, but his reply seems to be in the past tense rather than providing protection for the future.
A question, please, Deputy.
That is coming. I have to point out the context in which it is coming. Is the Minister aware that we are embarking on a plant which will pump out 70,000 tonnes of sulphur dioxide, contravening EC regulations, without any desulphurising or sulphur recovering process at that plant? I refer to Money-point. The acid rain, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide will increase by 50 per cent at that stage. Will the Minister use his good offices to enable the ESB to acquire a grant from the EC to install sulphur recovery equipment at that plant?
The discussion on major plants is at Council of Ministers level. No agreement has been reached on what the levels should or should not be. Until they come to some sort of arrangement the question of a grant from the EC is not on. They have not yet reached a conclusion on what the controls should be. Collectively we have not agreed. Various countries have their own stand-points. We are endeavouring to hammer out a common policy for the Ten on emissions from heavy combustion plants and how they should be controlled. There are serious cost implications, as the Deputy is aware, with regard to the price of electricity.
That is why I spoke about a grant.
That could be used as a bargaining ploy across the table. I would not like to say a grant will be forthcoming. We will not be behind the door in looking for a grant if a grant is available. The discussion has not reached that stage yet. A common formula has not been found. Different countries have different attitudes. Some of the big industrial countries have pretty strong views on this matter.
A final supplementary.
Obviously the Minister is not aware that a final agreement has been reached as and from January of this year. That is why I raised this point. I am sure the Minister is aware that a similar plant in Saxony in Germany was refused planning permission because it would have produced huge quantities of sulphur dioxide. Bearing in mind the fact that Moneypoint is at an advanced stage, the Department should be seeking a grant for sulphur recovery.
No agreement has been reached. What member countries do about their own planning permissions is a matter for themselves. No agreement has been reached by the Council of Ministers on this issue. Up to December last no conclusion has been reached. I believe that at the next meeting in March no conclusion will be reached. It is an ongoing situation.
