Ruairí Quinn
Question:169 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Energy the action he has taken to date to advance Ireland's Green Presidency of the EC Council, as promised by the Taoiseach in January 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - EC Presidency Programme.
The Deputy will be aware that the main steps proposed for the environmental element of the Presidency of the EC are contained in the publication "An Environment Action Programme" launched in January 1990.
In the broad context of that document the integration of environmental considerations in all policy areas is now in hands.
Specific action taken to date in relation to my Departments activities is as follows:
Ireland will accede to the Helsinki Protocol which requires that Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions be cut by 30 per cent by 1993. Regarding action by agencies under my responsibility, steps are being taken to ensure that the ESB will take the necessary measures to be able to comply with the requirements of this protocol. Arrangements are also in hand to enable the ESB to meet its commitments under the Sofia Protocol to stabilise NOx emissions at 1987 levels.
An environment section to examine issues arising in connection with forestry and the environment has been set up in my Department. Guidelines in relation to forestry development are almost complete. Further guidelines in relation to forestry, amenity and landscape as proposed in the environment action programme will be completed late in the year. The normal consultation with county councils and the Office of Public Works where afforestation might affect their areas of interest are continuing.
Measures under the proposed major energy conservation programme which has been allocated an additional £500,000 are being prepared and evaluated at present. The programme will be launched as soon as possible.
The Radiological Protection Bill has been circulated and will be debated in the Dáil in this session.
I have already taken steps as regards the protection of the Irish population from the hazards of natural radiation by setting reference levels of 200 becquerels per cubic metre for radon in dwelling houses.
In the area of radiation safety a number of positive steps are being taken during the Irish Presidency. After a lapse of 20 years, the Commission has agreed to recommence inspection of member states' environmental radioactivity monitoring facilities. This is a major step forward in that the Commission have accepted their very important role in the promotion of nuclear safety.
Following intense discussion, the Irish Presidency has got agreement to the five year extension of a regulation which restricts the importation into the Community of foodstuffs contaminated after Chernobyl.
Draft directives on the protection of certain categories of workers and on transport of radioactive waste are under discussion and will be progressed vigorously during the Irish Presidency.
My overall aim is to promote nuclear safety and I am taking every opportunity to do this during the Presidency.
Arising from the regulations made by the Minister for the Environment in December 1989 in respect of environmental impact assessment it was necessary that two additional regulations be made by me, prescribing bodies to be consulted and the period for the consultation in relation to certain energy based developments. These regulations were necessary for gas pipeline development and oil and gas developments. The regulation for gas pipeline developments, entitled Gas Act, 1976 (sections 4 and 40A) Regulations 1990, S.I. No. 51 of 1990, was made on 1 March 1990. The other regulation, for oil and gas developments, will be made in the next few weeks.
Under our Presidency the Commission has recently prepared an important paper entitledEnergy and the Environment; this paper will be the basis for political discussion at the next Energy Council in May. This document is an important development in the progress towards a community consensus on this issue and we are leading the discussions at Council.
My Department is actively involved in preparation of relevant material for international events such as the Bergen Conference and the Second World Conference on Climate Change.