Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 7

Written Answers. - Environment for Europe Conference.

John Gormley

Question:

253 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether he will be participating or be represented at the forthcoming Aarhus environmental conference; whether it is his intention to ratify the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Decision Making; whether he intends to ratify the protocols limiting emissions of heavy metals and on reducing emissions on persistent organic pollutants under the Convention on the Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15233/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I will attend the Environment for Europe Conference in Aarhus and will sign, on behalf of Ireland, the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Environmental Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and the two Protocols on heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants, to the Geneva Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution.

John Gormley

Question:

254 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whether it is his intention that NGOs from the environmental sector in Ireland will be represented at the forthcoming Aarhus conference; whether the National Environmental Partnership Forum will be represented; the measures, if any, his Department has in place to encourage, support, facilitate and resource Irish NGO involvement at this important gathering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15234/98]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

NGO attendance at the Environment for Europe Conference is a matter for consideration by the relevant organisations in the first instance. My Department has contributed in the past towards the cost of NGO attendance at international environmental conferences and is prepared to consider any further such requests having regard to available finance. However, no requests have been received from non-governmental organisations for funding towards the cost of attendance at this conference.

As the National Environmental Partnership Forum has not yet been established, the question of its representation at the conference does not arise.