asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on reports of serious acid rain levels in coastal regions of Dublin-Wicklow contained in Air Quality in Ireland—the present position published recently by An Foras Forbartha.
Written Answers. - Acid Rain Levels.
58.
While the report in question does refer to limited episodes of high acid deposition at Dublin-Wicklow monitoring sites, its overall assessment is that there is little evidence to date of marked environmental damage from acidification. Nonetheless, the real evidence which the report adduces of acid deposition on the eastern seaboard of Ireland, and of the transboundary origin of some of this, reinforces the need for effective national and international controls in this area.
As regards national measures, the Air Pollution Bill, 1986, which completed all Stages in the Seanad today will provide the necessary legislative framework. As regards international measures, Ireland is participating both in the 1979 Geneva Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution and in the EC environment action programme.