asked the Minister for Finance if he will set up a scientific and technical council on problems of environmental protection and the use of natural resources.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Protection.
117.
As the Deputy is doubtless aware, a decision in principle has been taken to establish a statutory board for science and technology. It is envisaged that this board will have a responsibility for, inter alia, formulating a national policy for science and technology embracing all areas and for promoting co-ordination in scientific and technological activity on a national basis. This responsibility would include the consideration of scientific aspects of problems of environmental protection and the use of national resources. The establishment of a board with this mandate should render unnecessary the setting up of a special council of the kind referred to by the Deputy.
I understand from the Minister that this board will cover the matters referred to in my question. Could the Minister give any idea of when it may be established?
Sooner rather than later.
The Minister will realise that with the advent of some proposals for the establishment of heavy industry in this country, rather than stop economic growth we should endeavour to prevent the worst features that might attach to these industries?
I share the Deputy's concern.
By what means does the Minister envisage the activities of the various Government Departments will be co-ordinated if he accepts that the Board of Works, the Departments of Agriculture and Fisheries, Local Government and Lands and the Forestry Division, all have a function in this matter of the preservation of the environment? How does the Minister envisage co-ordination of all their activities through this board?
It will be a matter for the board, to a large extent, to suggest the best ways and means of bringing about this co-ordination. We visualise these separate areas of responsibility would be identified and the board would then recommend the best ways of implementing a central and common policy.