asked the Minister for Local Government if he has any proposals to harness the energy and goodwill of non-governmental organisations in order to encourage them to express themselves on environmental matters.
32.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Environmental Campaign.
31.
asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider introducing a national campaign which will include slogans such as "polluter must pay" or a "label of environmental quality" in order to ensure an informed public opinion on environmental matters.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on 8th instant to his question about discussion on environmental matters.
Public interest in this area is growing rapidly, and this is a healthy situation. It is facilitated in various ways such as the conference which I had recently with water pollution interests; the activities of various public institutions and other bodies and the increasing part being played by numerous private sector groups.
As for campaigns, my immediate priority is to tackle the most pressing problems, and particularly the water pollution problem, and to get public interest in, and support for, the measures that are needed. I believe that this is the right approach. It will be developed progressively and account will continue to be taken of the importance of the interest of the public.
Would the Minister consider trying to introduce the sort of campaign that his predecessor introduced in regard to road safety and perhaps we could have signs and advertisements throughout the country to focus public attention on the problems of pollution?
In view of the appalling failure of that campaign I would not dream of attempting to do anything like that. I had to change it immediately I took office.
The Minister has continued it. Speed kills, kills, kills.
It is still there.
It was an appalling failure.
Would the Minister consider establishing a national environmental council as an advisory body on the lines of the National Road Safety Organisation, a body with statutory powers to examine all aspects of the environment?
That aspect of the matter is being looked at. I have already had a conference with those interested in water pollution and quite a number of people other than those attended and expressed views. It overflows from one to the other. I believe that if we get the organisation going properly we will be able to have what Deputy O'Connell asks done.
As a very necessary and essential preliminary to any such campaign, is the Minister satisfied that all agencies of Government, all Departments of Government, all semi-State bodies and all public authorities are converted to the idea of preventing pollution and seeing that whatever is there is remedied? Is he satisfied on that score? This is where the real problem, I found, arose at the beginning.
I would hope that that is so. I think all the people referred to by Deputy Blaney were present in the Custom House at this meeting and all of them expressed views.
Did they all applaud?
They will, I think, do what they have been asked to do.
I think in some cases the Minister will have to make them do it. This is where the feet-dragging took place.
I would hate to think that. I think they can be persuaded.
We cannot have an argument on this matter.
33.
asked the Minister for Local Government if the Government will support a new dimension to environmental considerations stressed at the UN conference on the environment in Stockholm which emphasised the social and economic aspects of the human environment as well as physical aspects such as considerations of soil, flora, fauna, air and water.
The need to have regard in environmental planning to economic and social considerations as well as to conservation and protection is fully recognised and accepted. It has indeed been one of the principal points of emphasis in this country's contribution to international discussion in the matter. I am not sure, therefore, what the Deputy has in mind.
34.
asked the Minister for Local Government if local authorities find that the Atmospheric Regulations, 1970, are satisfactory from the point of view of dealing with the general problem of air pollution in city areas; and if he considers that further measures should be taken for controlling emissions from certain industrial processes.
I believe that the regulations mentioned, the controls exercised over certain industries under the Alkali, etc. Works Regulation Act, 1906, and the controls available under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, provide overall a reasonable system of control for present conditions.
The question whether additional measures are desirable falls to be considered as part of a general review of air pollution control arrangements.
35.
asked the Minister for Local Government if the controlled burning of used tyres at fixed times would help the pollution problem caused by dumped tyres.
It is a matter for the local authority to consider the appropriate means for waste disposal in their area. I am not aware that the disposal of used tyres at controlled tip heads, as is the practice in Dublin, creates a pollution problem. The incineration of tyres, on the other hand, is costly and may give rise to air pollution problems. I might add that the general question of waste disposal is being reviewed in my Department with a view to advising local authorities of any improvements that may be desirable in the light of modern practice.
Has the Minister, from the point of view of abating pollution, taken stock of the chimney stack in his own Custom House building in which certain things are disposed of at intervals and not just smoke alone but the particles also go up in clouds?
That seems to be a separate matter.
It is not really. I think it is fairly relevant. Deputy Blaney was there for some time and he did not take the trouble to do what I did. I checked on that, too, because I was a bit annoyed to find that it seemed to be coming out of the Custom House. It is not under the control of the Department of Local Government.
I know that.
I also paid a visit down there.
It was used in the month of March of this year I believe, and a lot of stuff burned in it.
(Interruptions.)
I made other suggesttions as to how to dispose of tyres that were dumped. Can the Minister come up with some solution to this problem?
I am hoping to, but the trouble is that I am not an expert on everything.