asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has to relocate a lead smelting and scrap yard (details supplied) in Ranelagh, Dublin 6 which is causing a serious health hazard to the local residents.
Written Answers. - Relocation of Dublin Scrap Yard.
78.
Environmental control of operations of this kind is the responsibility of the appropriate local authority, in this case Dublin Corporation.
Under the Control of Atmospheric Pollution (Licensing) Regulations, 1985 (S.I. No. 178 of 1985), a licence from the appropriate local authority is required for the process of recovering metals through smelting. The Air Pollution Act, 1987, contains provisions which, when brought into operation in the new year, will replace these regulations and provide enhanced powers for local authorities in relation to polluting emissions. General planning powers are also available for the environmental control of industrial plant.
I am informed by Dublin Corporation that no application has been made for a licence under the 1985 regulations for this particular operation and that no licensable activity has been taking place on the premises. The corporation's Environmental Pollution Report for 1986/87, as well as more recent monitoring, indicates that levels of atmospheric lead in the Ranelagh area are well below the air quality standard which I recently prescribed for the protection of human health and the environment.
I have no function in the relocation of industrial premises.