John Bruton
Question:157 Mr. J. Bruton, Mr. J. Mitchell, Miss Flaherty, Mr. Connor and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline his views on the proposals to phase out CFCs in the EC by 1997.
Written Answers. - Phasing out of Chlorofluorocarbons.
I refer to the debate on the ozone layer depletion held in this House on 15 November 1991. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, as adjusted and amended at the meeting of the parties in London in June 1990, provides for the phasing out of certain chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other substances by 1 January 2000. EC Regulation 594/91 of 4 March 1991 requires the production and supply for sale of CFCs to be phased out within the Community by the earlier date of 1 July 1997, with similar provisions for carbon tetrachloride by 1 January 1998.
We have already indicated our full support for the earlier phase-out date adopted by the EC for CFCs and carbon tetrachloride, given the threat that these substances pose to the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol will be reviewed next year and this is expected to lead to proposals for an even more accelerated phasing out of ozone depleting substances. This should be feasible within the industrialised countries at least, and Ireland would support such a proposal.
My Department have had contact with Irish industries using CFCs and I welcome their positive response to the phase-out proposals.