"Pollution taxes" urged

THE introduction of "pollution taxes" on products that pollute the environment has been called for in a report issued by a Dail Committee.

The report by the Joint Committee on Sustainable Development recommends "integration of environmental considerations into decision making at all levels of Government", and strongly defends greater environmental regulation on the basis that it will generate sustainable jobs.

"Ireland's environment is deteriorating, thereby eroding the quality of Irish life and the competitive advantage that its green image has provided," the report states. It is due to go before both houses of the Oireachtas.

It criticises duplication among State agencies dealing with the environment and calls for an expert group to oversee their restructuring.

The committee underlines the importance of adequate food quality and safety through strict licensing of food producers, and suggests that public bodies be required to introduce environmental management systems. Local authorities, because of their key role in environmental protection and promotion, should be required to adhere to indicators which measure environmental performance.

Other recommendations are the introduction of an eco label confirming the environmental friendliness of Irish produces a greater role for environment in education, better co operation between the Environmental Protection Agency and industry, and the provision of environmental impact assessments in which the public has full confidence".