Vol. 396 No. 4
14 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to a report which alleges that significant levels of a cancer-inducing agent have been detected in car exhaust emissions from unleaded petrol in Britain; whether the levels of the agent concerned have been reduced in unleaded petrol in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The article in question has been brought to my attention.
EC standards in regard to benzene levels in both leaded and unleaded petrol already apply in Ireland. Under the European Communities (Lead Content of Petrol) Regulations, 1986, and the European Communities (Benzene Content of Leaded Petrol) Regulations, 1988, the marketing of petrol with a benzene content exceeding 5.0 per cent volume is prohibited here. This standard is complied with both in the case of petrol from the Whitegate Refinery, and imported petrol. The EC Commission is currently reviewing the standards in question and Ireland will consider favourably any reasonable proposals which the Commission may bring forward in this area.
Will the Minister agree there is a danger that in our switch from leaded to unleaded petrol which all Members welcome, we may be creating new hazards for the general public? Will the Minister indicate what research, if any, is taking place here to indicate whether there are different hazards resulting from emissions arising from the use of unleaded petrol?
I agree with the Deputy that bringing in new measures can often result in new hazards but we have to continue to be as modern as possible and experiment as often as possible. If hazards come this way we will have to deal with them as they arise. The Departments of the Environment and Energy are participating in a number of studies being conducted at European level in relation to health aspects of benzene in petrol. It is appropriate that we should participate in such studies in a European context. I might add that when catalytic convertors are mandatory, as they will be on all new cars below 1400 cc. and, perhaps, on medium and large cars, as the result of the Irish Presidency, they will reduce the benzene content by 75 per cent.
Will the Minister agree that there is a necessity for the Government to take an initiative to encourage existing car owners to have their cars changed to take catalytic convertors? Will the Minister acknowledge that such measures have been taken in other member states? Will he indicate whether there will be an initiative such as a break from road tax for a year or two years to act as an incentive to the owners of existing cars taking the necessary measures to instal catalytic convertors which can be an expensive exercise?
Yes, as the Deputy has stated, it is an expensive exercise and it is only two years before it will be mandatory on new car models. That will take place by the middle of 1992 and the convertors must be on all new cars below 1400 cc by the end of 1992. This country, during the Irish Presidency, will be pushing to have that requirement extended to medium and large cars. The Government are concentrating their efforts on trying to encourage people to use unleaded petrol and, as the Deputy will be aware, that is providing difficult even with the huge financial incentive. Unleaded petrol sales stand at about 13 or 14 per cent. Given that the country is not a manufacturer of cars, and given the costs involved, I do not think it would be practical for us to introduce any initiatives of our town in advance of 1992. However, we will review this and examine all possibilities.
Will the Minister take on board the approach adopted by West Germany where owners of existing cars were provided with an incentive by way of a reduction in car tax? Will the Minister acknowledge that the measures the EC will bring into force in 1992 may impact on new cars but will not do anything for existing cars? Will the Minister accept that as a result for a number of years after 1992 we will have continued problems of pollution caused by car emissions? Will the Minister, and the Government, consider taking an immediate initiative with regard to existing cars so that what will take place in 1992 will in a real way contribute to an improvement in the environment rather than our having to wait for existing cars to run out their life span?
I am aware of the efforts made in West Germany by the Government and the car manufacturers. Given the huge value to the German economy of car sales it was in their interest to do that. The Government will explore options in that regard.
Is the Minister aware that there is available a non-toxic substitute for benzene? In the context of the EC consideration of the use of benzene as an additive to petrol, will the Minister consider it an ideal issue for the Green Presidency to take an initiative on to ensure that a directive or regulation is introduced to encourage the use of that non-toxic substitute as an additive rather than benzene which studies have shown has caused cancers?
The Deputy had better ask the Green President about that.
I am aware that there is an alternative but I am also aware that the alternative is by no means a definitive one. It may be an option to explore during the Green Presidency. The Government are exploring many options during the Green Presidency and taking many initiatives. Options of that kind, and options put forward by other Members, will be explored.
The Minister should remember that we have but four months left.
