asked the Minister for the Environment whether the Moneypoint plant has increased Ireland's total output of sulphur dioxide by 50 per cent; if it has caused substantial increases in national emissions of nitrogen oxides; and the action the Government intends to take to curb the polluting effect of this plant.
Written Answers. - Moneypoint Plant Emissions.
216.
I understand that emissions of sulphur dioxide from the Moneypoint plant are estimated to amount to 53,000 tonnes in 1987 compared to estimated emissions nationally of 160,000 tonnes. For nitrogen oxides, emissions from Moneypoint are estimated at 24,000 tonnes in 1987 out of total national emissions of 83,000 tonnes from all sources. Monitoring at Moneypoint indicates that there are no direct adverse effects at national level and it is clear that any transboundary implications would be insignificant. Compliance with the Protocol concerning emissions of nitrogen oxides, which was agreed recently in Sofia, will involve retrofitting of NOx control technology at Moneypoint and the ESB are committed to this.