asked the Minister for the Environment his policy objectives and priorities in relation to the area of environmental protection of our natural resources; if he has met the Environmental Council; if not, when he proposes to do so; if he is in a position to set out for them a work programme listing his requirements in the coming year; the measures he proposes to take in relation to improving the quality of our air, water and land resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Protection.
4.
(Dublin South-East): The overall aim of the Government's environment policy is to protect and improve the physical environment side by side with economic and social progress so that there will be a better quality of life for everybody, now and in the future. The central theme of the policy is the concept of integrating environmental concern with development; the prevention of pollution and the protection and improvement of amenities and our heritage.
These objectives are in line with the recommendations of the report A Policy for the Environment which was produced by the Environment Council set up in 1978 and was published at the beginning of this year. The term of office of the council expired in June 1981 and the council was not renewed. I am currently reviewing that position including the question of appointing a new council and the settling of its functions. In the meantime the detailed recommendations of the previous council's report have been referred to the various Departments concerned and progress is being monitored by the inter-departmental environment committee who operate under my Department.
The quality of environmental resources will continue to depend largely on the effective operation of the planning and pollution control systems. It is my intention that these systems will be extended and improved as necessary. A general review of the operation of the Planning and Development Acts will be undertaken as soon as the more immediate items of planning legislation have been dealt with. In the meantime comprehensive guidelines on the administration of local planning are being prepared for the assistance of planning authorities. Local authorities are being urged to give full effect to the provisions of the Water Pollution Act, 1977, and of the new regulations which have been introduced for the control of waste disposal operations. Arrangements are also proceeding for implementation of other aspects of the general Strategy for Waste Disposal which was published in May 1981.
Trends in air pollution are being closely monitored with a view to any additional control measures that may be necessary and feasible being introduced and the controls relating to other environmental problems, including noise and nuisance, are also being reviewed.
It is important in all of this, and in the further development of environmental policy, that there should be as accurate a picture as possible of the actual environmental conditions and of the trends. This calls for development of a system of state-of-the-environment reporting. I have asked An Foras Forbartha to assist in the preparation of a first report of this kind, and that work is now in progress.
I appreciate the Minister's long and detailed reply in relation to the Environmental Council and the document they have produced. Can he give any instance of any of their recommendations which were accepted by his Department and implemented?
(Dublin South-East): It is necessary to restate that the council were not brought back again in June 1981 and it is the intention now to review that situation. The Deputy may be aware that the council prepared four reports, Towards an Environment Policy, Litter and the Environment, A Policy for the Environment and Reporting on the State of the Environment. I can give details of those reports if necessary, but they would be very long drawn out.
The council lapsed for very obvious reasons, given the last 12 months that we have had. They made four reports, as the Minister has said. Since the Minister has indicated that he is to appoint a new council, can he indicate what he sees as the benefit of the previous council and what recommendations proposed by them were implemented by his Department?
(Dublin South-East): I cannot give that information now because it is not in my brief. The concept of an environmental council was an excellent one. The situation will be reviewed.
5.
asked the Minister for the Environment if Ireland is now in a position to meet environmental standards in relation to the lead content in petrol and related fuel oils; if Ireland is now observing fully the standards set by the EEC in this regard; and, if not, if he will make a statement on the matter out-lining the Government's attitude to the achievement of such standards.
6.
asked the Minister for the Environment his attitude to the question of the lead content in petroleum sold in this country; if Ireland now meets the requirements of the EEC; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
7.
asked the Minister for the Environment the steps being taken to reduce the level of lead pollution throughout the country.
8.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will take immediate steps to reduce the lead level in Irish petrol so as to reduce the danger of brain damage to children being caused by lead poisoning.
9.
asked the Minister for the Environment if any steps are being taken to have lead-free petrol put on sale in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
(Dublin South-East): With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 9, inclusive, together.
The EEC Council Directive of 29 June 1978 on the lead content of petrol stipulates a maximum content of 0.40 grammes per litre in the EEC generally, but gives a derogation in the case of this country to allow for the setting of a maximum of 0.64 grammes per litre during the five years commencing on 1 January 1981. The regulations made pursuant to the directive provided accordingly. The derogation was allowed because of the technical and economic problems which the immediate implementation of the lower limit would have created for the Whitegate oil refinery.
Following the suspension of refining operations at Whitegate, all the petrol now being used in the State is imported from EEC countries so that the actual lead level in petrol being sold in this country at present conforms to the general EEC standard of 0.40 grammes per litre.
I understand that, when refining operations are resumed at Whitegate, it is envisaged that the petrol produced there will conform to the general EEC standard. I hope, therefore, to be in a position shortly to amend the regulations so as to prescribe the lower maximum level of 0.40 grammes per litre.
I am not aware of any moves afoot towards providing lead-free petrol in this country. However, there is no statutory prohibition against the placing of such petrol on sale here.
I am aware of studies carried out in other countries the results of which suggest a possible correlation between lead intake and impaired intellectual development of children in particular. The findings of all such studies will be taken into account when determining if and what further action needs to be taken or is feasible to reduce environmental lead levels.
My colleague, the Minister for Health, has already made regulations which control the lead content of some 60 foods and beaverages. His Department advise that exposure to lead poisoning from sources other than lead in petrol may vary according to diet, area lived in, the existence of old leaded paint or pipes in a house or premises and other similar factors
At present monitoring of lead-in-air is carried out at four stations in Dublin city. The operation of the system including the possibility of extending it to other areas is kept under review. The results obtained from the Dublin monitoring have in general proven satisfactory when compared against the standards envisaged in a proposed Directive on Lead-in-Air which is at present under discussion in the EEC.
Have the Minister's Department had specific discussions with the Department of Energy to ensure that the refurbished refinery at Whitegate will have the capacity to produce lead-free petroleum for sale here?
(Dublin South-East): Although I regard that as a separate question——
It arises from the Minister's reply.
(Dublin South-East):——I will look into the matter and furnish the Deputy with details when they become available to me.
On a point of order, is it not a fact that Question No. 9 refers to lead-free petrol? Therefore, Deputy Quinn's supplementary question is not outside the terms of the original question.
I think the Minister has taken that point.
He said it was a separate question.
(Dublin South-East): I did, but I am trying to be of assistance. Deputy Quinn asked a direct question relating to negotiations which may or may not have taken place. I will be happy to furnish that information when it comes to hand.
I am unhappy that the Minister cannot do so now and I believe that information should be contained in his brief. The answer to the question was exceptionally long but the substance was varied. We are not meeting the requirements of the EEC. When Whitegate is opened again we will be selling our own petrol. Will that refinery have the capacity to produce the kind of petrol to which Deputy Briscoe's question relates? If such information is not in the Minister's brief, the person who compiled the brief was not doing the job properly.
(Dublin South-East): I would not suggest that the brief is incomplete. I have given the Deputy an assurance that I will furnish the information to him personally as soon as I can. I have no hesitation in saying that I should like to see lead-free petrol available as a choice, as is the case in many other countries. I regard it as a very serious matter and I am pleased that we will be coming into line with EEC stipulations. I should like to see a choice being made available and I regard this as a social obligation on those who sell petrol.
I thank the Minister for his later remarks and I agree entirely with them. In the light of recent research in this area, would the Minister not agree that it is desirable, rather than seeking to comply with the minimum code under EEC regulations, that we take steps to ensure within a short time a legal requirement that all petrol be zero lead-rated? Would the Minister not also agree that recent research has indicated that minimum EEC standards may not provide sufficient protection for children and that there is a very real need for zerorating? In relation to Whitegate, I would ask the Minister to take the necessary steps, with the Minister for Education, to ensure that the refinery will provide lead-free oil and not oil which simply complies with an EEC standard which is now proving not to provide the necessary protection.
(Dublin South-East): Yes, but the question from Deputy Quinn was a direct one relating to negotiations. I could give the House an assurance that Whitegate will comply with EEC standards and perhaps that would be of some help.
I am giving Deputy Briscoe the opportunity to ask one supplementary question.
The Minister mentioned the derogation granted to this country by the EEC. Is there any time limit on this derogation?
(Dublin South-East): Yes, five years from 1 January 1981.
So by 1986 we will have to conform with the rest of the EEC.
(Dublin South-East): That would not follow; it can be altered. It would be the prerogative of the Government. We are not obliged to comply with a concession. Deputy Shatter urged that Whitegate should produce lead-free petrol. If this can be done such a request will be put to them.
When the Government decided to take over the Whitegate refinery, is the Minister aware that I, as Minister of State, issued instructions that the refinery should comply with EEC regulations regarding the lead content of petrol? Is he further aware that it is technically possible for the refinery to produce lead-free petrol, but at a cost? Could the Minister establish the cost of so doing?
(Dublin South-East): I am not aware of the first two parts of the question. As regards the cost, I am sorry I cannot give the House that information.
So far the Minister has concentrated on lead pollution arising from petrol. In Question No. 7 I asked generally what steps were being taken to reduce the level of lead pollution. The Minister said that paint can give rise to problems of lead pollution. Recent research carried out in certain schools in Dublin has indicated that the lead content in paint in the schools constituted a danger to the children. Will the Department consider laying down minimum standards in this area and undertake to carry out an investigation of schools throughout the country, and particularly in city areas where there is the greatest danger? Will they investigate if the painting at present being carried out in schools is posing a danger to children by way of lead pollution?
(Dublin South-East): I can give the Deputy that assurance.
I do not doubt the Minister's goodwill in this matter but I am trying to find out what action, if any, has been taken in his Department. Is there anything in the Minister's brief that indicates there were discussions of any kind between his Department and the Department of Energy in relation to the refurbishment of the Whitegate refinery in reference to what Deputy Collins has said? If so, is there anything in the Minister's brief to indicate the cost of such increased capacity in the State-owned refinery when it is operational again?
(Dublin South-East): Both questions were answered. There is nothing in the brief that gives that information but I supplemented my answer by saying that Whitegate would conform to EEC standards. Everything I say does not necessarily have to be in my brief. Secondly, I said I did not know the cost. I will be quite happy to give the information if the matter is tabled as a separate question.