asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the number of officers in his Department engaged on environmental activity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environment Activity Officers.
23.
There is no officer in my Department engaged soley in environmental activity. Several officers in the Industries and Commerce Divisions are involved in matters which have environmental aspects. In addition two of the semi-State bodies for which I am responsible are involved in the protection of the environment—the Industrial Development Authority in the examination of industrial proposals and in giving grants for the installation of treatment plant to prevent pollution and the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards in setting suitable standards for waste and effluent disposal.
In view of the serious pollution situation, will the Minister agree that his Department of all Departments should have an officer specifically charged with protecting the nation against pollution and directing whatever observations he may have to make directly to the Minister?
The Deputy's suggestion is worthy of consideration but I believe that the mechanism whereby the work is carried out—I also agree about its importance—in regard to monitoring is in the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards. That is an arrangement by which the relevant data can come to my notice just as quickly and effectively as if I had someone located in my Department to deal with it. The difficulty about pollution —and there is a difficulty—is that to respond to it properly involves the work of many Departments. The key to a satisfactory solution is co-ordination of the activities of different Departments rather than appointing specific pollution men in specific Departments. What the Deputy says is worth thinking about.
The complete answer—and we have approached it in this way from this side of the House —is the setting up of a Department of the Environment.
That is a separate question.
It arises out of it. This is a very important matter.
It is a separate question.
You did not pursue it over the years.
I had no personal responsibility for it. You are in Government now.
You were not very anxious about it before you went over to that side of the House.
I was always anxious about it.
We did not notice it.
Order. Question No. 24.