Wexford): The Government have already implemented a number of measures for the promotion of cleaner technologies in Ireland, viz.: assistance through the Industry Operational Programme for the establishment of a Clean Technology Centre at Cork Regional Technical College, to which Irish industries are also contributing; assistance through the STRIDE Programme for a parallel Cleaner Production Unit at University College Cork; and publication by my Department in October 1993 of a discussion document on cleaner manufacturing technologies.
I intend that the Operational Programme for Environmental Services, 1994-1999, will include a further measure on the promotion of cleaner production processes as part of a sub-programme on R and D related to sustainable development.
Voluntary measures now being implemented at EU and national level including environmental auditing and management, and ecolabelling, will also help to promote and educate as regards the value of cleaner production processes. Environmental Protection Agency licensing, which will shortly commence, will also prioritise the prevention and minimisation of pollution.