asked the Minister for the Environment in view of the increasingly serious level of smoke and sulphur dioxide pollution in Dublin city, if he will consider creating zones in the city restricted to the use of fuels (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dublin Air Pollution Control.
87.
The Air Pollution Act, 1987 provides a comprehensive legislative framework for controlling air pollution. Under the arrangements provided for in the Act, it is for the local authorities concerned to consider and implements remedial action on air pollution, including the creation of special control areas, where breaches of prescribed air quality standards occur. The standards for sulphur dioxide, lead and nitrogen dioxide prescribed in the Air Pollution Act, 1987, (Air Quality Standards) Regulations 1987 (S.I. No. 244 of 1987) are being fully observed. In the case of certain parts of Dublin, the standards prescribed for smoke have been breached.
Before creating a special control area, the relevant local authority would have to survey the incidence and causes of air pollution in the areas concerned as well as the systems used for the domestic space heating and cooking, industrial and commercial needs, etc., giving priority to areas of heaviest pollution. This survey would assist them in considering the desirability of making special control area orders and the appropriate extent and phasing of these. A special control area order may prohibit the burning of any fuel other than an authorised fuel.