Vol. 381 No. 8
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement on the measures he will take to control the use of foam-based packaging used by fast food outlets, the burning of which produces chlorofluorocarbons which attacks the ozone layer.
182.
asked the Minister for the Environment whether he proposes to ban or restrict toxic and non-degradable plastic bags and products as well as ozone-destroying aerosols and fast food cartons in light of the most recent environmental information available.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 182 together.
The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, which was agreed in September, 1987, will limit the use of certain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) internationally by stabilizing 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. This will have the effect of reducing the amount of CFCs available for use in foam-packaging or in aerosols. Alternatives are already being developed by the international chemical companies and I expect this trend to accelerate.
I have placed a motion on the Dáil Order Paper seeking approval of the terms of the Protocol and the parent Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer which was concluded in Vienna in 1985. I expect the motion to be taken shortly and this will provide an opportunity for a debate on all aspects of the problem.
I have no proposals at present in relation to the control of plastic bags. In so far as waste aspects are concerned, local authorities have a wide range of management and control powers under the EC (Waste) Regulations, 1978 and the EC (Toxic and Dangerous Waste) Regulations, 1982. They also have extensive powers to deal with litter aspects.
