Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

We need to look carefully at what we are doing and, by all means, let us do it if it is good for us and if its possible but let us not cod ourselves and shelter under an umbrella that has holes. Do not let us soldier on in the belief that what we are doing is correct because it does not apply to the rest of the world. They export their goods and their food into this jurisdiction and it is considered all right for us to consume it then. Certainly that is a laugh.

In supermarkets all over the country it is possible to identify food products that have been subjected to chemicals that have been banned here for many years, and which are banned in the context of this legislation. The question arises as to how serious we are about these issues. It is all right if we import them but it is all wrong if we grow them.

There is a number of chemicals, particularly in the horticultural and farming areas, with which I am familiar, such as herbicides, having worked with them over many years, which have been quite helpful. Those that leave a residual build up are the most dangerous because they have a cumulative effect. They build up in the soil and multiply as time goes by and never leave the system. Those are the chemicals about which I am most concerned. However, there are others that do a good job, have few ill effects and are beneficial. I mention these at the outset even though the Minister of State should have a thorough knowledge of them given the constituency from which he hails. Nationally and internationally, people will always legislate for the things that upset them unless it affects them directly and economically. It raises a different hare if it does.

I turn to the question of importation. We have good chemical manufacturers here. In regard to the Cork scene, the Minister of State needs to be careful to avoid a dramatic negative impact in the event of large-scale manufacturing of chemicals in our own back yard. In some cases we export them and we use some in the domestic market. We must ensure that if there is a ban on a particular substance that we do not wake up some morning and find that the chemical manufacturing plant has closed because there was not adequate warning. There is a need for scaling down and a recognition that the process is harmful. It must be proved that it is harmful and changes have to be made. I do not wish to dwell on past history in regard to emissions. If it affects employment it is simple until it comes to one's own back yard.

The shipping of hazardous substances is one of the major problems, particularly since the history of such transport has led us to the conclusion that in not all cases has the crewing of ships met the highest international standards. Not all the hulls tested, where transportation is taking place inside damage-proof casks, are safe in the event of shipwreck etc. That applies to oil, gases and so on but it applies particularly to hazardous substances. I ask the Minister for an assurance that irrespective of what rules and regulations apply, they must apply from production to shipping and road transport, ensuring the public is protected in every circumstance.

I turn to the area of road transportation. Often one is driving at night and one pulls up behind a vehicle with a sign which indicates it is carrying hazardous material but one hopes it is empty or the material is stable. Given that not all transportation that takes place here is done to the highest standard of specification, where vehicles have the potential to come in direct contact with the general public and thereby create a serious health hazard the legislation covers it. There is also the whole question of dangerous substances and spillages. As my good friend and colleague, Deputy Michael Fitzpatrick, will recall, I remember in our county there was a simple spillage of diesel and suddenly it ended up in the water supply because of the network of drains, pipes and so on. Everybody could taste it. One can imagine the dangers to the general public if a more poisonous material got into the water supply.

We have a national emergency plan about which I have asked many questions in the past. I was inspired over the years to ask more questions to the extent that I was of the opinion that I knew nothing about the subject.

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