Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:214 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if a programme or time-scale has been drawn up to reduce SO 2 emissions by 30 per cent by 1993; and the amount of a reduction which will have occurred by December, 1990.
Written Answers. - Toxic Emissions.
Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:215 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the steps which he has taken to ensure that the ESB will install desulphurisation equipment; and when he expects that this will be carried out.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 214 and 215 together.
As outlined in the Government's action programme in January this year Ireland will accede to the Helsinki Protocol to the Geneva Convention on Long Range Trans-boundary Air Pollution. The Protocol requires contracting parties to reduce emissions of sulphur dioxide, SO 2, by 30 per cent on an annual basis by 1993 using 1980 as the base year. In Ireland's case this imposes a ceiling of 157,000 tonnes of SO 2 by 1993.
A programme to meet the ceiling is presently being developed taking into account the use of low sulphur coal at Moneypoint generating station, the continued use of natural gas by the ESB if supplies allow, and action to ensure substantial reductions in SO 2 emissions from industrial sources.
If necessary desulphurisation equipment will be installed at Moneypoint power station and this matter is currently being examined in the context of meeting the Protocol's obligations.
A reliable estimate of SO 2 emissions for 1990 is not possible at this stage of the year.