Vol. 397 No. 9
362 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport 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.
My Department are committed to environmental action relating to a number of transport modes and are particularly concerned to ensure improved environmental measures which benefit the tourism industry.
Among the developments of note during Ireland's Presidency of the EC Council of Transport Ministers are the following: earlier this year, a joint working group representative of the EC and third countries was established to agree on common noise pollutant emission standards for an "environmental friendly (green) lorry"; and a joint working group is studying the medium- to long-term development of combined (rail-road) transport which is of particular benefit in reducing damage to the environment. It is hoped that the working groups will complete their work during the Irish Presidency.
In so far as tourism is concerned, I took the opportunity at an informal Council of Ministers of Tourism of the EC in Ashford Castle last month to impress on my colleagues the critical importance of the environment for tourism. I am happy to report that my EC colleagues concurred with my views and the environment is now firmly on the agenda as an issue for future discussions of European Ministers of Tourism.
As part of the programme of events in Ireland to mark the European Year of Tourism, I launched an environmental awareness and conservation competition earlier this year —"The Toyota Irish Countryside Awards". This competition which is being organised jointly by Bord Fáilte and the Irish Countrywomen's Association, seeks to redress environmental problems and damage to the countryside. In addition, a special effort is being made this year to encourage a substantially larger number of entrants to the Tidy Towns Competition.
