Dáil Éireann - Volume 450 - 07 March, 1995

Written Answers. - Banning CFCs and HCFCs.

Mr. Sargent Mr. Sargent

91. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment if he will ban CFCs in Ireland. [5021/95]

Mr. Sargent Mr. Sargent

92. Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Environment, in view of the questions being raised regarding HCFCs as a replacement for CFCs, if he will consider banning HCFCs.[5022/95]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin) Brendan Howlin

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 92 together.

Within the European Union, the phasing out and elimination of substances which deplete the ozone layer is controlled by Council Regulation 3093/94. Under the provisions of this regulation, the production and use of CFCs, chlorofluorocarbons within the Union has been banned since 1 January 1995 except in the case of a limited number of specified essential uses for which no suitable alternative is yet available.

The regulation also prohibits within the Union the use of HCFCs, hydrochloroflourocarbons from 1 June 1995 except for a number of specified applications and provides for the phasing out of production of HCFCs by 31 December 2014.

Dáil Éireann 450 Written Answers. Banning CFCs and HCFCs.

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