asked the Minister for Energy the plans he has to reduce the lead content in petrol both produced in Whitegate and imported; and if he is aware that new legislation specifying lead-free petrol will come into force in Britain in 1986 and the EC in July 1989.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol Lead Content.
10.
I expect that Whitegate refinery will be in a position to produce petrol with a maximum lead content of 0.15 grammes per litre, as against the current maximum of 0.4 grammes per litre with effect from January 1986. The necessary investment decisions to enable it to do so were taken some time ago and the work is proceeding. I understand that the British Government are to specify a maximum of 0.15 grammes per litre for all petrol marketed in the UK with effect from 31 December 1985 and, since almost all of the balance of our petrol requirements is imported from there, I would expect that this measure, combined with the adjusted lead level of Whitegate petrol, will give rise to a very significant general reduction in the lead content of petrol marketed in this country from early 1986. The making of regulations which will prohibit the sale in Ireland of petrol with a lead content of above 0.15 grammes per litre is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and I am aware that this issue is currently receiving his attention.
The recent EC Council Directive on lead content of petrol requires that member states take "the necessary measures to ensure the availability and balanced distribution within their territories of unleaded petrol from 1 October 1989". However, it is open to any member state to facilitate the introduction of unleaded petrol onto its domestic market from a date earlier than that and in this regard I understand that the British Government intend to make it possible for any oil company which wishes to do so to sell unleaded petrol in the UK from January 1986 onwards. That is already the position in this country.
I should point out that, while member states may facilitate the introduction of unleaded petrol on their markets before 1989, just as the UK are doing, this does not of course guarantee that there will be a significant demand for such petrol in the short term. The transition of demand for leaded to unleaded petrol will take many years as there is turnover in national vehicle fleets and as vehicles capable of running on unleaded petrol grow in numbers.
I thank the Minister for his extensive reply. Would he agree that, now that the decisions and plans are in place, there should be similar co-ordination with the motor industry for the importation of motor fleets so that their engines will be geared to ensure that the maximum amount of lead free petrol will be used when it comes into operation in 1989? If we do not take action we may find ourselves with a dirty environment for a few more years.
The Deputy is quite correct when he says we should try to monitor the lead in time to ensure that there is maximum use of unleaded petrol. There has been exhaustive technical interplay between the refining, car design, manufacturing and consumer interests, all with a view to making unleaded petrol the main vehicle fuel as quickly as possible. The car manufacturing member states have been aware that Germany has been forcing the pace in this regard and quite rightly so.
Can the Minister make any regulations in relation to secondhand cars which are still available?
That is a matter for the Minister for the Environment and I should not like to encroach on his area.
Pass the buck.
In view of the fact that Whitegate are gearing up for a lower level of lead in petrol by the end of the year, are there any discussions or proposals for proceeding further to the production of unleaded petrol at Whitegate?
As I said in reply to the question, we are working towards reducing the lead content. When we have achieved that we can look at the longer term and the desirability of producing unleaded petrol at Whitegate.