Vol. 431 No. 1
97 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment the independent examination, if any, he intends to undertake, in regard to the prospect of a 3 per cent increase in electricity prices arising from the signature by Ireland of the Helsinki and Sofia Protocols.
, Wexford): Ireland has already signed the Sofia Protocol. Ratification of this Protocol and accession to the Helsinki Protocol, as envisaged in the Environment Action Programme, have been the subject of extensive interdepartmental consultation with a view to a formal Government decision, which I expect will be taken shortly. The Programme for a Partnership Government provides that extra diligence will be exercised in relation to energy and the environment by minimising emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and sulphur from industrial processes, including electricity generation.
