asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any attempt has been made to ensure that industry takes action to prevent environmental pollution; and whether consideration has been given to the establishment of an inspectorate attached to his Department which would have such a function.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Environmental Pollution.
111.
While I have no specific statutory function in relation to the prevention of pollution, I am concerned that the industrial development programme should not interfere with the environment.
The Industrial Development Authority do not assist new or expanding industries which do not take measures against pollution. Any such projects likely to cause pollution are identified by the authority in consultation with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards and An Foras Forbartha, and the industries concerned are advised on the anti-pollution measures necessary.
The IDA make grants available towards the cost of the installation, by new or existing industries, of effluent treatment plants approved by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. An inter-departmental working group on air and water pollution set up by the Minister for Local Government, on which my Department is represented, has been looking into the various aspects of these problems, and the question of responsibility for enforcement will no doubt be amongst the matters considered.