Vol. 378 No. 10
asked the Minister for the Environment when it is intended to implement the 1984 EC Directive on air pollution from industrial plants; the measures which are being taken to protect workers pending the implementation of this directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
124.
asked the Minister for the Environment when the licensing procedure for a new industrial plant provided for in the Air Pollution Act, 1987 will come into force, if it has not already done so; and when he intends extending these provisions to existing industrial plants.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 66 and 124 together.
I intend to implement this directive shortly by bringing into operation Part III of the Air Pollution Act, 1987, which deals with the licensing of industrial plant. The licensing of industrial emissions envisaged by the directive and the Act is a measure to protect public health and the environment generally rather than a worker safety measure.
The new licensing system would apply in the first instance to new industrial plant. It will be appropriate to await some experience in this regard before considering regulations to extend licensing to any class of existing plant.
