Vol. 456 No. 1
121 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment if his Department has concluded its annual review of urban air quality in relation to the 1994/1995 heating season; the measures, if any, which have been identified to maintain statutory air quality in urban areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12525/95]
My Department has concluded a review of urban air quality on the basis of data provided by the Environmental Protection Agency in respect of the 1994-95 heating season. The Environmental Protection Agency has also recently published a review of national air quality generally in the period 1984-94. Neither review reveals any recent exceedances of statutory air quality standards.
As regards the 1995-96 heating season, the priority is to maintain and support the extension of the ban on the sale, marketing and distribution of bituminous coal in certain areas of Cork which was introduced in February 1995. Support for this initiative by my Department in the coming months will include the funding of a public information campaign in the Cork area.
