asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the statement (details supplied) that the atmosphere in Dublin is badly polluted, and that the level of sulphur dioxide is equal to that of other cities which have serious pollution problems.
Written Answers. - Dublin Pollution.
422.
I am aware of the reported statements made at a news conference to introduce a study of Dublin air quality sponsored by the National Board for Science and Technology. The study was related to pollution by sulphur dioxide and smoke. In the study itself, no comparison was made between the levels of these pollutants in Dublin and in other cities. The actual position is that the available data shows that levels of sulphur dioxide pollution in Dublin have continuously declined since the early seventies. Smoke pollution levels have also declined although at present the decline appears to have halted. The Dublin levels of both pollutants can be considered to be generally satisfactory having regard to World Health Organisation criteria.