The current smog problem is having at least one good effect. It is focusing the minds of Dubliners on their environment and the quality of life that can be expected during the coming winter months as long as bituminous coal continues to be the principal coal heating fuel.
Smog levels in at least three heavily populated areas of Dublin at the weekend reached four times the safety limits set by the European Communities. It is not necessary for me to point out that for the many people suffering from respiratory ailments, particularly the elderly, smog levels prevailing are approaching lethal levels. There is no doubt that there is a serious smog problem in our city. There is no doubt in my mind that the answer must be to regulate safely the amount of noxious smoke in the atmosphere which stems from burning coal in open fires.
It will be recalled that the Air Pollution Act, which gave power to the local authorities to make special control areas, came into force in September 1987. Six months later, in March 1988, Dublin Corporation was the first local authority to take steps to address the problem by declaring control zone A in Ballyfermot as the first smog control designated area. Ballyfermot is in the west of Dublin and was chosen because of the level of smoke prevailing in the area. The smoke levels there were higher than in any other area in Ireland at the time and this still prevails at present.
I have a particular interest in the Air Pollution Act as Ballyfermot is my local authority area. I have been aware for many years of the problems endured by the residents because of the lack of a clean air environment. While we all welcome the Bill, which was passed unanimously in the Dáil, there is no doubt that the oral hearing instigated by the Minister after the designation of control area A, while taking cognisance of the objections by a number of the residents has slowed down the implementation of Dublin Corporation's plan. Now that these views and objectives have been heard no further delay should be allowed in implementing the plan because I believe the delays are causing undue hardship to the majority of the residents.
It is known from the residents and from their reactions to the environmental health officers who conducted a door to door survey, that they want clean air. It is our duty as public representatives to present the plan properly to our constituents, and to comfort and advise those who have serious objections in order to ensure the speedy implementation of the plan. I would ask the Minister for the Environment to ensure that sufficient information is made available and distributed to the residents.
I would also ask the Minister to consider earnestly the people who have already installed units before the grants were in place. Some consideration should be made towards the costs they have already undertaken. Furthermore, there are many residents in Dublin who wish to live in a clean air environment and who would be willing to convert if properly advised on the programme. Such people would convert without any grant aid. Consequently, a proper and informative advertising campaign would go a long way to help Dublin air to be cleansed again.
The Minister has shown great courage in tackling a very difficult problem. While some commercial interests are willing to throw their lot behind her, those who drag their heels should be called to task. If needs be, alternative sources of supply of smokeless fuel should be sought if those at present controlling the supply are not willing to fall in line. For the Minister's plan to mature and flourish, we all need to give a long-term commitment to the plan and to clearly define the areas where grants would be given. We must ensure that our efforts will continue without interruption in these areas until the problem is solved.
As I said earlier, a significant number of people did not wait for grant aid but proceeded to convert at their own expense. While it is everybody's wish that the 160,000 houses using open coal fireplaces in Dublin could be converted without delay, one must take a realistic approach, having regard to the financial constraints prevailing. The corporation's plan for the new control areas which started in Ballyfermot and is being extended into Crumlin and Drimnagh, later to Cabra and Mountjoy Square, is to have all the problem and densely populated areas covered by 1992. It is important that as much backing as possible be given by all parties and that no further delays be allowed in implementing the plan. If this calls for minor adjustments to the Act, such amendments should be introduced. No commercial interests should be allowed to delay the implementation of the plan by orchestrating objections which are not in the best interests of the community at large. While the plan places an imposition to some extent on people, the majority will see that it is for the good of the community. This has been borne out previously by the reactions of the canvassers on the door to door survey. Today it is the problem in Ballyfermot, tomorrow it will be a Dublin problem and soon it will be an Irish problem. I appeal to all to act in unison for the general good of our environment.
