asked the Minister for the Environment the manner in which it is intended to introduce the European Commission's directive for tighter controls on car exhaust emission levels before the end of December 1986; and the effect this directive will have on the cost of motor vehicles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Exhaust Emission Levels.
6.
Proposals for a directive on measures to be taken against air pollution by gases from engines of motor vehicles were presented by the European Commission to the Council on 6 June 1984 and have been under discussion since then at community level. Substantial agreement in regard to principles was reached at meetings of the Council (Environment) on 20 March 1985, 27 June 1985 and 28 November 1985 on the establishment of European standards to be adapted by categories of motor vehicles and on the dates for introduction of the new standards in respect of the different categories of new vehicles. Work on the translation of these agreements into a Council directive is proceeding at present but it is not possible to say when this will be adopted by the Council. Any estimate of the cost implications of the requirements for motor vehicles would be speculative at this stage.
It is envisaged that the requirements of any new directive on vehicle emissions will be implemented at the appropriate time partly through the type approval system for which the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism is responsible and partly through regulations to be made by the Minister modifying the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations.
Will the Minister inform the house whether his Department have carried out a survey in our major cities in relation to atmospheric pollution arising from car emissions? Will he indicate to the House how really serious the question of lead and unburned hydrocarbons in the atmosphere is in our major cities?
Deputy Allen's question relates to emissions contributing to air pollution from cars. It is impossible to segregate the causes of air pollution whether it be from open solid fuel fires or car emissions. I am aware, although I have not the information available to me, that surveys of the lead content in urban areas have been undertaken, but if the Deputy puts down a separate question to that effect I am sure the Department will be able to give him the information.
Have the Department any plans to carry out a survey in the coming months to establish the real problem in our cities in relation to (1) pollution from fires which would be SO2 and carbon monoxide, but totally separate, (2) the lead atmospheric pollution which will be traced solely to car emissions?
I cannot say, because that information is not available to me, but I am sure that if the Deputy puts down a question, or alternatively writes to the Minister, he will be able to get the information he seeks.