asked the Minister for the Environment if the EEC Directive on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment, OJ L129, has been implemented in Ireland; if so, the legislation or other measures under which it has been implemented; and if not, when the Government proposes to implement this directive.
Written Answers. - EEC Directives.
5.
The objective of this directive is to ensure co-ordination of approach among EEC member states to implementation of various conventions designed to protect the marine environment from pollution by certain dangerous substances. The directive has no implementation deadlines the reason being that the EEC Council must first lay down limit values and quality objectives for listed substances. Commission proposals involving the first four of the many substances covered by the directive are at present being discussed at working party level and neither limit values nor quality objectives have yet been set.
The directive provides for a control system based on reviewable authorisation of discharges by competent authorities in member states and the relevant legislation in this country is the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977.
6.
asked the Minister for the Environment the Irish stations taking part in the EEC exchange of information procedures on the quality of surface fresh water.
The four sampling stations selected for the purpose of information exchange on surface fresh water quality are: River Boyne at Slane Bridge, River Clare at Corofin Bridge, River Barrow at Graiguenamanagh Bridge and River Blackwater (Munster) at Killavullen Bridge. These stations are specified in the directive itself.
7.
asked the Minister for the Environment the legislation or other measures, under which the EEC Directive on the quality of fresh waters needing protection or improvement to support fish life has been implemented.
The control powers needed to implement this directive are contained in the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act, 1977 which is designed to ensure that our national water resources are maintained to a standard consistent with their various beneficial uses. The directive applies to waters to be designated from time to time by each member state and my Department are at present in consultation with the Department of Fisheries and Forestry in relation to the selection of the rivers for designation.
8.
asked the Minister for the Environment the legislation or other measures under which the following EEC Directives have been implemented:—(i) methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the member states, (ii) lead content of petrol, (iii) the driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural or forestry tractors, (iv) waste from the titanium dioxide industry, if any, and (v) toxic and dangerous wastes.
The following is the position with regard to implementation of the directives referred to by the Deputy: (i) The Council directive concerning the methods of measurement and frequencies of sampling and analysis of surface water intended for the abstraction of drinking water in the member state was adopted on 9 October 1979 and it must be implemented by 11 October 1981. The measures necessary for its implementation are at present under consideration; (ii) Regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972 have been drafted to implement the directive relating to the lead content of petrol which will come into operation on 1 January 1981. Consultations on the draft regulations are in progress with the Department of Industry, Commerce and Tourism; (iii) The implementation of the directive in relation to the driver-perceived noise level of wheeled agricultural and forestry tractors is a matter for the Department of Agriculture. The Minister for Agriculture has made regulations to implement the directive; (iv) As titanium dioxide is not manufactured in this country at the present time it was not considered necessary to make specific regulations to implement this directive. The EEC Commission have been informed accordingly and have accepted the position; (v) Regulations under the European Communities Act, 1972 have been drafted to implement the Directive on Toxic and Dangerous Waste. Difficulties have arisen in Ireland and in other member states in formulating an exact definition of such wastes. The problem is at present being considered by the Commission in association with the member states.