Vol. 450 No. 3
26 Miss Quill asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the fact that bus exhaust emissions are a serious contribution to air pollution in our cities, the regulations, if any, that are in place in line with our European obligations under Directive 93/59/EEC, to introduce measures against air pollution by motor vehicle emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5066/95]
Directive 93/59/EEC has been implemented in Ireland by the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Emission Control) Regulations, 1994. The regulations prohibit the issue on or after 1 October 1994 of the first licence for a car, light commercial vehicle or small bus unless the licence application is accompanied by a declaration from the vehicle manufacturer or authorised agent that a certificate of conformity with the emission standards of the directive has been issued for the vehicle. These emission standards cover nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, total hydrocarbons and in the case of diesel engined vehicles, smoke. Details of the standards are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.
Directive 93/59/EEC does not apply to buses which can carry more than eight passengers. Such vehicles, with heavy goods vehicles, are subject to the provisions of the European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Emission Control) Regulations, 1993, which implemented Directive 91/452/EEC with effect from 1 January 1994.
I intend shortly to make regulations to implement Directive 94/12/EC which lays down revised emission standards for passenger cars with effect from 1 January 1997. Ireland has strongly supported EU efforts to improve vehicle standards with a view to reducing air pollution, and we will continue to do this.
TABLE
Exhaust emission limit values (in grams per km.) under Directive 93/59/EEC
|
Vehicle Category |
Weight |
Mass of carbon monoxide |
Combined mass of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides |
Diesels onlyMass of particulates |
|
Passenger Cars |
All |
2.72 |
0.97 |
0.14 |
|
Light Commercial and Minibuses |
max of 1250kg |
2.72 |
0.97 |
0.14 |
|
Light Commercial and Minibuses |
over 1250kg up to 1700kg |
5.17 |
1.4 |
0.19 |
|
Light Commercial and Minibuses |
over 1700kg |
6.9 |
1.7 |
0.25 |
Is the Minister aware that a strong body of expert opinion argue that the benzine content of lead free petrol is creating a serious health hazard, particularly in relation to leukaemia in children? That being so, has the Minister's Department compiled data on this matter or, alternatively, what attempts has his Department made to establish the relevance of existing data on benzine to the Irish position?
I am unaware of particular data on benzine. However, I will request the officials of my Department to forward to the Deputy any data that exists either here or in the European Union on this matter.
I appreciate that. This is an area we will have to visit again. Is the Department taking steps to explore the possibility of at least a partial switch to biofuels? A demonstration project by Bus Éireann is currently in progress in Cork. When will the Minister be in a position to publish its findings?
I saw the public transport vehicle that is run on biofuel in operation. I support the pilot project. I am minded very much to encourage the move towards the use of as much non-pulluting fuels as possible. I do not know when the detailed analysis of that project will be concluded but I look forward to receiving the data and incorporating it into the work we are doing on natural sustainable energy.
Arising out of the findings of that experiment, will the Department be in a position to carry out a feasibility study on the usefulness of making at least a partial switch to biofuel?
I look forward to the day when, driving from Wexford, I will see the beautiful yellow lustre of rapeseed plants growing to provide fuel for our transport fleet.
That is a bit poetic.
