asked the Minister for the Environment if he favours the banning of all use of chloroflourocarbons in aerosols, foam packaging, insulators materials, and refrigerators in view of the damage they cause to the ozone layer which protects the world's atmosphere; the plans, if any, there are for Ireland to initiate a national ban on the sale of products containing chlorofluorocarbons; when Ireland will ratify the recent international agreement to protect the ozone layer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Protection of Ozone Layer.
19.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer was agreed in September 1987 under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The protocol is designed to limit the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) internationally by stabilising their consumption from 1989 and reducing this by 20 per cent from 1993 and by a further 30 per cent from 1998 — all relative to 1986.
I intend shortly, subject to Government approval, to introduce the necessary motion in the Dáil to allow us to join in this Protocol and in its parent Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Detailed implementation of these limitations on CFCs within the EC region will be reinforced by measures still to be negotiated at EC level.