asked the Minister for the Environment if he has any intention to introduce regulations leading to the phasing out of use of leaded petrol in this country, especially in view of the danger to health and the environment from the widespread use of this petrol.
Written Answers. - Lead Content of Petrol.
47.
Council Directives 85/210/EEC, of 20 March 1985 on the approximation of the laws of the member states concerning the lead content of petrol requires member states to take the necessary measures to ensure the availability of unleaded petrol and its balanced distribution within their territories from 1 October 1989. I will be co-ordinating arrangements to this end and the Air Pollution Bills, 1986, when enacted, will provide the appropriate regulatory powers.
There is agreement in principle at EC level that all new petrol engined vehicles should be designed to run on unleaded petrol. The proposed implementation dates vary from 1 October 1988 to 1 October 1993, depending on the vehicle category.
Council Directive 85/210/EEC also required member states, as soon as they consider it appropriate, to reduce the permitted lead content of petrol marketed in their countries to 0.15 grammes per litre. Regulations made by my predecessor have the effect, from 1 April 1986 of reducing the permitted lead content of petrol marketed in Ireland from 0.40 to 0.15 grammes per litre. This reduction of over 60 per cent should achieve a similar reduction in the level of lead in the air.