asked the Minister for the Environment if he will examine the correlation between pollution in Dublin city and the effect it is having on asthmatics; if he has any plans to eliminate the pollution problems; if he will make a regulation to have cars fitted with automatic pollution gauges; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin City Pollution.
10.
There is general acceptance that severe air pollution can aggravate respiratory conditions. The several EC air quality directives now in force are designed, inter alia, to safeguard public health. They are being observed everywhere in Ireland with the exception of parts of Dublin city, where smoke levels occasionally exceed EC limit values. It is intended to achieve full compliance with relevant smoke limits in Dublin and the Air Pollution Bill, 1986, which is awaiting a Second Reading in the Seanad, will provide an appropriate framework for the necessary action.
More effective measures than automatic pollution gauges fitted to cars have already been taken under European Community Environment Policy, or are in prospect, to reduce and phase out lead in petrol and to improve car engine or exhaust design with a view to reducing other emissions from vehicles.
Although the Clean Air Bill is a welcome move towards reducing the amount of sulphur dioxide being discharged into the atmosphere and will help those suffering from respiratory disorders, does the Minister accept that the large number of cars in the city centre, the majority of which use petrol containing lead, are proving to be a serious health hazard particularly to young children living in the inner city?
There has been a smoke problem in parts of Dublin from time to time and the EC limit values have not been met. However, the situation in Ireland is far less serious than in many other parts of Europe, but that is not to say we should be complacent. The Air Pollution Bill will introduce a range of measures to ensure that good quality air is maintained in most of the country and in the small areas where there is occasionally a problem attention can be given to them. I would not like it thought that the problem is at a level commensurate with that in other countries. The House will be aware that regulations were made last year by my predecessor to reduce the permitted lead content in petrol marketed in the State. As a result there has been a 60 per cent reduction in the lead content of petrol from the beginning of last month. That alone should secure a sizeable reduction in the level of lead in the air.
Is the Minister aware that a very damaging article about air pollution in the city of Dublin appeared in the magazine, Nature recently? If he is so aware and if the facts can be denied, would he ask his Department to rebut this very damaging article?
I must confess I am not so aware, but I will make inquiries and see if a suitable response can issue.
Is the Minister aware that in Athens a person is allowed bring his car into the centre of the city only every second day? Is the Minister aware that the location of Athens is pretty similar to Dublin in that it forms a bowl at the edge of the sea and Dublin is backed by mountains and that, therefore, this increases the pollution in the air? This has a deleterious and serious effect on children in the short term. Will the Minister see if a more accessible public transport system would help in this problem and in the long term will he introduce a ban on lead in petrol?
In relation to the last part of the question, a lead-free petrol is the ultimate objective. As I have explained to the House, there has been a reduction of 60 per cent in the lead content in petrol since the beginning of April and a range of measures will be implemented following the passage of the Air Pollution Bill. I feel that it is not appropriate to delay the time of the House in going into them now.
It would not be in order.
They will be before the House when the Bill comes here from the Seanad, but they are relatively well known. That range of measures which will be possible as a result of the passage of that Bill — the changes in the lead content regulations to which I have referred, the objective of seeing that lead-free petrol will be available throughout the Community from 1989 onwards together with a commitment at EC level that all new petrol engined vehicles will be designed to run on unleaded petrol, new limit values for the control of emissions from motor vehicle engines together with a time limit for their introduction, and Council directives regarding the exhaust emissions from the existing car fleet — all are matters being implemented progressively or under examination at present. The level of attention given to this area both from a Community point of view and nationally will ensure progressively a far higher standard of air cleanliness in our cities and throughout the country generally.
A short question.
Yes, short. The Minister referred to exhaust emissions from cars. Surely the biggest problem in the Dublin region is exhaust emissions from buses, in particular in those areas where buses park such as College Green, Marlborough Street and so on which are black spots. Will the Minister enter into negotiations with CIE with a view to changing those areas and not having a gathering of buses in the one area?
That is an excellent suggestion. I will be delighted to follow it up.
Will the Minister consider making it compulsory to fit air pollution detectors to private cars so that the population of Dublin can monitor themselves the extent of the air pollution in the city without having to depend on the occasional official pronouncement?
How much would it cost?
It would be very cheap, a pound or two.
There are more practical steps to be taken before an indication of the level of self-generated pollution might be carried around.