Vol. 250 No. 8
asked the Minister for Local Government if any tests have been carried out here to determine the level of air pollution arising from stationary sources; if so, when and where and in relation to which pollutants have they been carried out; if these tests have shown the necessity for remedial action; and if such action has been taken.
232.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he has studied the operation of the following United States laws in so far as they concern air pollution—Clean Air Act, 1963, Air Quality Act, 1967, National Environments Policy Act of 1969; and if similar legislation can be envisaged here.
233.
asked the Minister for Local Government if any tests have been carried out, and if so when and where, to determine the level of air pollution arising here from the following chemicals which can be present in motor vehicle fuels: boron, barum, nickel and their compounds, lead, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides; if these tests have shown the necessity for remedial action; and if such has been taken.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 231, 232 and 233 together.
Tests have not been carried out in this country to determine the level of air pollution arising from stationary sources. The measurements of air pollution taken on behalf of my Department or by sanitary authorities relate to the level of pollution in the ambient air. These testing arrangements were initiated in 1958 and recording stations are now functioning in the following six areas—Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway and Limerick. The arrangements record the pollution of the atmosphere by smoke, sulphur dioxide, dust and grit. They do not monitor the level of air pollution arising from chemicals which may be present in motor fuels.
I am aware of the provisions of the American legislation referred to. Similar legislation is not envisaged here at present.
As regards remedial action and new legislation, I would remind the Deputy that regulations which are designed to control atmospheric pollution will come into force on 1st Janauary, 1971. If it is established that further controls are desirable consideration will be given to their introduction, by legislative proposals or otherwise.
Would the Minister give me some details as to the actual siting of those testing stations? Is the Minister not aware that the most severe air pollution can be a very local thing? It could be within a few feet of a very heavy traffic road. That is where you should carry out your tests not, say, out in the middle of Leinster Lawn or somewhere like that where you are well away from it. The big problem is local air pollution, not general pollution. What is the Minister doing to measure that?
I informed the Deputy in my reply that we have testing arrangements in operation in Cork, Drogheda, Dublin, Dundalk, Galway and Limerick. I hope to be able to expand the testing arrangements further.
Where exactly in Dublin is the testing station?
I could not give the Deputy the exact location.
Is this under the State Secrets Act or something like that? Is it an offence to ask this? Surely we should be told where this testing station is?
This is a separate question.
Is it Dr. Chapman's unit?
I could not tell the Deputy the exact location.
This is a separate question.
It is not. If I am reading this question properly, it asks where exactly the testing is done. The Minister said it is done in Dublin. It is a simple question to ask exactly where in Dublin it is done?
The Minister would be delighted to tell the Deputy if he had the information.
Does it not come under the Department of Local Government?
Yes.
This is a separate question.
It is not.
To what question is the Deputy referring?
I am referring to Question No. 233. This question asks if any tests have been carried out and if so when and where?
The Deputy should not get so excited about it.
If the Deputy wants to know the exact location I will drop him a note about it.
I want a note, too. I should like more specific information. Why is the Minister not taking any measures to evaluate the amount of pollution arising from motor vehicle sources which I mentioned? Is he prepared to give any instructions in regard to the placing of anti-pollution devices on the motor vehicles in the possession of the State?
The question of putting anti-pollution devices on motor cars is another matter. I am quite aware of the extent of pollution.
The Minister is not. His testing is quite inadequate. The Minister does not know the extent of it.
I am aware of the need to improve the machinery of the Department for dealing with air pollution. I hope to be able to improve it in time. I have told the Deputy what has been done so far. I am not saying we have done enough. We hope to do much more and also to do more research into this, to spend much more time on it and increase the staff working on it.
Is the Minister aware that it has been pointed out quite recently that there are a number of loopholes in the legislation which it is proposed to bring in on January 1st next?
I am not so aware.
May I send a copy of the journal which indicated those loopholes to the Minister?
Yes.
Will the Minister take action on it?
I will study the article.
It might be in the Minister's interest to study this article.
234.
asked the Minister for Local Government the position regarding the creation of smokeless zones in the Dublin city area.
No proposal for creation of smokeless zones is under consideration at present.
235.
asked the Minister for Local Government the number, status, and Department of officials in the Government service directly concerned with problems of air pollution.
Control of air pollution is one of the fuunctions dealt with by the sanitary services section of my Department. The staffing arrangements of that section are set out in the Directory of State Services.
Has there been any increase in the staff specifically concerned with air pollution in the light of the growing problem in this area?
Yes.
What is the extent of this increase?
There has been a slight increase recently.
