Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The proposals with regard to CO2 emissions from cars and vans are to set new standards, given the technological developments being made in the manufacture of cars and vans. Obviously, they will be lowered. Countries with car manufacturing industries will have a view on this issue. However, we can be ambitious because we do not manufacture cars, but Germany, Italy and Spain, in particular, have strong views on the issue. We expect to reach a conclusion on it during the course of our Presidency. We have met the rapporteurs from the European Parliament who are dealing with these legislative files and we expect to have a first reading by June.

Fluoridation of water is a matter for the Minister of Health, not the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.