Vol. 401 No. 4
12 Mr. Pattison asked the Minister for the Environment his views on whether transport is a significant contributor to environmental pollution in Dublin; if he will provide the most up-to-date data on the pollutants and the amount of each emitted by transport vehicles; and the relative contribution of each of the modes to the overall amount of environmental pollution in the city.
Motor vehicles are, of course, a significant source of air pollution, especially in large urban areas. Information is not available on the relative contribution of different modes of transport to overall pollution. However, I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the other information requested. The table has been prepared by the environmental research unit of my Department, based on the position in 1987, the latest year for which such figures are available.
Improvement in air quality in our towns and cities will lead to a reduction of vehicle emissions. Accordingly, the transposition of all relevant vehicle emissions directives into Irish law is being considered at present with a view to having appropriate regulations made later this year. Following is the Statement:
National 1987 Emissions [Tonnes]*
|
Nitrogen Oxides |
Carbon Monoxide |
Volatile Organic Compound?** |
Particulars |
|
|
(NO x) |
(CO) |
VOC) |
||
|
Total Emissions |
115,108 |
456,705 |
139,561 |
106,674 |
|
Road Transport |
48,836 |
331,744 |
61,217 |
8,260 |
|
% Total |
42% |
73% |
44% |
8% |
|
Petrol Engines |
27,857 |
323,769 |
58,489 |
1,661 |
|
Diesel Engines |
20,853 |
7,814 |
2,634 |
6,599 |
* Calculated on the basis of fuel consumption.
** Natural emissions (forests, cattle) excluded.
In addition, there was an estimated emission of approximately 170 tonnes of lead from petrol engines in 1987. Approximately 20-25 per cent of emissions from petrol engines could be attributed to the Dublin city area.
I am very disappointed that the Minister has not referred to the use of benzine in unleaded petrol, which is unique to this country as it is not used in Europe or the USA. Is he aware of the danger to people's health by the use of benzine in unleaded petrol?
I am setting out in the tabular statement all the various emissions and the tonnages that we have experienced. The Deputy is right in saying that some of these substances have significant detrimental and environmental effects. There is no question about that.
When will the Minister do something about it and when will he stop the use of benzine in petrol?
When the Deputy has considered the tabular statement he will see what the Minister has been doing about it, and has been promoting an improvement so far as emissions of all kinds are concerned during the Presidency. There was some success in that regard.
In relation to benzine, may I remind the Minister that I asked him this question some months ago? At that stage he undertook to examine the use of benzine in unleaded petrol both by his own Department and, indeed, through the European Community. Can he state what consideration has been given to that issue in the meantime? To what extent is benzine used as an additive in unleaded petrol? What steps does he intend to take to try to deal with the problem?
I have to say that I do not have a note on that issue. Many other substances have been dealt with in detail but I do not have any note on benzine except that the increase in the use of unleaded petrol has now reached about 18 per cent of total usage. I will ask the Department to communicate with Deputies Gilmore and Garland on the question raised.
There has finally been an increase in the use of unleaded petrol but what other initiatives has the Minister taken in the last six months to reduce the polluting effects of motor vehicles in the context of the green Presidency? I am at some loss, a Cheann Comhairle, to understand to what the Minister is referring and he might indicate that to the House.
The controls already in place in that regard — in respect of emissions from motor vehicles — are covered by sections 30 and 90 of the Road Traffic Act and——
What new initiatives have been taken?
It is very difficult to hear the Minister.
I doubt it. It has always been recognised in the House that I am quite an articulate person and it is not difficult to hear me. In so far as heavy goods vehicles are concerned — buses and ambulances — they are subjected to a road worthiness test annually. Indeed, the test results have shown that pollution and smoke are not among the most common defects in commercial vehicles tested. As far as vehicle emissions in general are concerned, they are covered by EC directives going back as far as 1970. The directive with which we are now concerned is the one which has been mandatory since 1989. We will have very strict United States-style standards obtaining within the EC from the end of 1992. This concerns small car emissions. We have been pressing to have the question of these emission controls applied to larger vehicles as well, that was pursued during the Irish Presidency.
A final supplementary——
We cannot remain unduly long on any one question. Other Deputies are offering also. I want to facilitate them as well.
This is only the second question asked on this issue. The Minister patted himself on the back and advised the House that he had taken initiatives during the green Presidency. I put it to him that he has taken no initiative of any nature during the course of the last six months to reduce the polluting effects of motor vehicles on our domestic environment. I would ask the Minister to acknowledge that that is the case and to indicate to the House whether any initiatives will be taken now to provide incentives to people to instal catalytic convertors on the existing motor vehicles stock so as to reduce the polluting emissions coming from such motor vehicles.
This is tending towards debate.
The Minister is evading the issue.
That is not accurate at all. Under the relevant EC Directive a threeway catalytic converter system will be applied to all new cars——
All new cars from 1992? What about existing cars?
Yes, from 1992. The Deputy will be pleased to know that the matter was placed on the agenda at my last Council meeting, that a draft directive exists and might very well have been concluded. However, the European Parliament has not yet given its opinion and it cannot be finalised until the European Parliament discharges its responsibilities in the matter. Following the initiative taken by my good self as President of the EC Council of Ministers for the Environment I would expect that it might very well——
That was on the table eight months ago.
——be concluded but it cannot be concluded until the European Parliament discharges its responsibility in the matter.
The Minister is misleading the House.
Please, Deputy Shatter, we are making very little progress as a result of all these interventions.
I believe the European Parliament will dispose of its responsibility in the matter soon and probably it will become an effective directive within the Italian Presidency.
It is all right to talk about regulations and incentives. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that the major oil companies introduce a high octane unleaded petrol in this country? I understand there is only one major company making a high octane unleaded petrol available at present.
Deputies will have to be generous in so far as unleaded petrol and its promotion are concerned, since I brought it from nothing a couple of years ago — when only a couple of forecourts stocked it——
That was as a result of the Minister having been pressed by this side of the House.
Deputies opposite are pressing me on everything every day. I am saying to them that we are now in a good position in that unleaded petrol is widely available throughout the country and its availability is increasing. I should be glad to hear that I am being supported in its promotion. I understand there are a few people in the House who do not use it. Perhaps we could encourage them to use unleaded petrol.
We are now into high farce.
In the context of the European Commission adopting a programme of stabilising carbon dioxide emissions, has the Minister commenced planning for a transport system in Dublin that would meet that objective?
The question of CO² emissions will be dealt with in a very substantial way at the world conference in November following the publication of the final IPCC report. We will have to play our full part in maintaining a good position in so far as CO² emissions are concerned. We are already committed to doing so, anyway.
The Minister has not answered my question about octane ratings.
I am calling Question No. 13.
