Dan Neville
Ceist:51 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he will introduce a ban on detergents containing phosphates. [26339/98]
Written Answers. - Phosphate Usage.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 109 of 13 October 1998 in which I indicated that discussions were taking place between my Department and the Irish Detergents and Allied Products Association with a view to the adoption of measures to reduce the volume of phosphate-based household detergents on the market. I hope these discussions will be finalised very shortly and a voluntary agreement adopted. However, should they not come to a satisfactory conclusion, I will consider other options, including the imposition of statutory controls, to achieve further reductions in the phosphorous input to waters from detergents.