asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he agrees that there is a threat to Irish tourism through a deterioration of the physical and human environment; and if he has any plans for selective and corrective action in this regard.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environment Protection.
66.
Protection of the environment is, of course, primarily a matter for the Minister for Local Government. In his reply of 12th December, 1974, to the Deputy, the Minister for Local Government outlined his Department's policy in the matter.
Bord Fáilte recognise the importance of the environment as a cornerstone of Irish tourism and this is borne out by the board's product policy outlined last year and their intention, which I fully support, to protect the environment in so far as that may be possible by vigilance, by co-operation with other interested parties and by the provision of incentives.
My Department and the related State bodies appreciate the importance of the environment and, in their operations, give due consideration to environmental factors.
Is it not the case that there are certain matters dealt with by the semi-State bodies that are directly or indirectly under the control of the Minister for Transport and Power such as railway stations, additions to tracks and so on? Would the Minister not give a directive to semi-State bodies in connection with this matter?
The importance I attach to the protection of the environment has been brought to the attention of the semi-State bodies under my control. They have been told they should do nothing to lessen the value of the environment for the people living in the area in question and for tourists.