asked the Minister for the Environment the additional activities he proposes to undertake to mark Ireland's contribution to the European Year of the Environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - European Year of the Environment.
40.
The Environment Awareness Bureau, which operates under the aegis of my Department, has been assigned the role of Irish National Committee for European Year of the Environment and funds have been made available to the Bureau by my Department to enable it to discharge this role effectively. The committee have published a booklet entitled "A Strategy for the European Year of the Environment" which sets out the programme adopted by them for the year and outlines the main kinds of activities to be undertaken directly by the bureau and by the local authorities. Copies of the booklet are available in the Library. More recently, the bureau has launched a major programme of competitions and awards designed to arouse interest and participation in EYE activities among all sections of the community. Details of these are also available in the Library.
European Year of the Environment offers a special opportunity for advancing the cause of preserving and improving the environment and it is important that this opportunity should not be lost. I would urge all Members of the House to assist in any way they can in ensuring the success of the year.