asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why Ireland is not participating in the ad hoc group of OECD countries which aims to reduce emissions of oxidisable substances in pulp and paper production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pulp and Paper Plant Emissions.
24.
In April, 1971 Ireland was invited by the OECD to take part in the work of a joint ad hoc group which was being set up to carry out a study on pollution by the pulp and paper industry. It was considered that, because of the small size of the pulp and paper industry in Ireland, this country would have little to contribute, and, accordingly, it was decided not to participate in the study. The group reports to the industry committee of the OECD on which my Department are represented.
Would the Minister not consider it desirable to have a representative at the ad hoc committee because there is bound to be information exchanged there which will not appear in the reports?
There are two opposite considerations here; one is the desirability of having all possible information available to us and the manning of every possible committee available to us while the other requirement is to take care to ensure that the work load on the existing civil service does not become unbearable. The Deputy will be aware that because of our new EEC commitments the work load has increased considerably. Also, there is the desirability of keeping the growth of the civil service within reasonable balance. We endeavour to man every committee that is important and we make judgments as to which can be omitted. On the basis that any serious decisions emanating from the ad hoc committee went to the industry committee on which we are represented, we made the judgment—and rightly so—that we should not participate in the ad hoc group. Of course, we would like to be represented on all committees but we have not enough personnel for this.
The matter to which the question relates is becoming one of increasing public concern.
I agree.