Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 1

Written Answers - Air Pollution.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

88 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on the recent EPA report on dioxin emissions; the steps being taken to reduce the level of emissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8751/03]

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

The report prepared for the EPA, giving an estimated inventory of releases of dioxins and furans to the Irish environment in 2000, and projections for 2010, is a very useful contribution to our information base on dioxins in the environment, especially as it identifies the relative significance of various emission sources for dioxins.

Overall, the report indicates that Ireland generates relatively low amounts of dioxin – an estimated 93 grams in 2000 – and in this regard it supports the findings of earlier EPA surveys of dioxin levels in Irish cows milk, which showed an overall 16% reduction in the period 1995 to 2000, to levels that are uniformly low by international standards.

In the context of ongoing criticism of proposals for the development of thermal treatment facilities, as part of an integrated waste management infrastructure, it is noteworthy that our existing nine hazardous waste incinerators were estimated to have contributed a fraction of 1% of national dioxin emissions to air in 2001. Even taking into account a projected incineration of 1 million tonnes per annum of municipal waste by 2010, the report estimates that waste incineration would contribute less than 2% of national dioxin emissions to air.

By contrast, it is evident from the report that the biggest source of emissions to both air and land is, and is expected to remain, uncontrolled combustion processes – in particular the home burning of domestic waste, house and vehicle fires, and Hallowe'en bonfires.

Overall, the report anticipates that annual dioxin emissions to air from all sources will fall by more than 10% by 2010.

I intend to study the findings of this report carefully, and to bring forward appropriate measures both to support an improved information database on dioxins in the Irish environment and to pursue a progressive reduction in emissions, where those are achievable in practice.