John Gormley
Question:213 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if Ireland has sought a derogation in relation to air pollutants; and, if so, if he could outline the reason for this. [9955/98]
Written Answers - Air Pollutants.
An EU framework directive, 96/62/EC, on ambient air quality was adopted in September 1996. It will be followed by subsidiary directives specifying air quality standards for a number of pollutants. The first such proposal for a subsidiary directive setting limit values for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air is currently under consideration by the EU Council of Environment Ministers and the European Parliament. Ireland has not sought any derogations in relation to the pollutants involved.