Helen Keogh
Ceist:94 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for the Environment the action, if any, he is taking to eradicate CFCs from metered dosage inhalers used for the treatment of asthma and other respiratory conditions. [23699/96]
Written Answers. - CFCs Elimination.
The production and use of CFCs has been wholly prohibited since 1 January 1995 except for a limited number of essential uses, including use in metered does inhalers, MDIs. CFC production for these exceptional uses is subject to EU controls and is declining continuously. As more approved non-CFC based alternatives suitable for all MDI uses becomes available, the use of CFCs in MDIs will declined further and be phased out.
As a party to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Ireland supported decisions taken recently at the eighth meeting of the parties, 25-28 November 1996, to promote the development of national transitional strategies to non-CFC based MDIs. My Department will be pursuing the implementation of these decisions with relevant health and industry interests.