asked the Minister for the Environment if he will make a statement with regard to the emission of various forms of pollutants, indicating whether or not he is satisfied with the present arrangements, outlining the number of prosecutions which have taken place in the last number of years in this respect and whether or not he has any proposals to change the law in this respect, or to increase sanctions.
Written Answers. - Emission of Pollutants.
149.
The most recent estimates of national emissions of air pollutants are for the year 1984 and are set out below. There is no systematic information at national level on the numbers of prosecutions taken in recent years in relation to excessive emissions.
Comprehensive new legislation has been enacted in the form of the Air Pollution Act, 1987 which provides for greatly increased penalties for offences.
|
Pollutant |
Estimated Emissions 1984 (Thousand Tonnes) |
|
Sulphur Dioxide |
129 |
|
Smoke |
112 |
|
Nitrogen Oxides |
66 |
|
Carbon Monoxide |
464 |
|
Hydrocarbon |
64 |
|
Lead |
0.5 |