Vol. 401 No. 4
44 Mr. Garland asked the Minister for the Environment if Ireland has negotiated the right to increase the level of SO2 emissions from large combustion plants by 23 per cent until the year 2003, under the EC Directive on large combustion plant emissions.
EC Directive 89/609/EEC; which was adopted on 24 November 1988 imposes limitations on emissions of pollutants from large combustion plants. These limits vary from one member state to another, taking account of relevant circumstances.
No derogation from the terms of the Directive has been or will be sought by Ireland. On the contrary, it is proposed, as announced in the Environment Action Programme, that Ireland will accede to the Helsinki Protocol under which total national emissions of SO2 will be reduced by 30 from 1980 levels.
