asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline the method of implementation by Ireland of Council Regulation EC No. 3322/88 dealing with the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Regulation on Controlled Substances.
172.
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3322/88 of 14 October 1988 is binding in its entirety on each member state of the Community and its provisions are directly applicable in Ireland. The Regulation implements the Community's obligations under the Protocol to control production and consumption within the Community of controlled substances. As there are no producers of the controlled substances in Ireland, the provisions of the Regulation controlling production are not directly relevant here. As regards consumption, the Regulation prohibits imports into the EC of the controlled CFCs unless the importer has been granted a quota by the European Commission and holds an import licence. No Irish importer applied for such a quota nor holds an import licence. Accordingly, imports of CFCs into Ireland from outside the EC have been prohibited since 1 July 1989.
From 1 January 1990, the importation into the EC of controlled substances from third countries not parties to the Montreal Protocol will also be prohibited. The prohibitions on imports are implemented in Ireland via the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.