There has been a significant growth in road traffic volumes in Ireland in recent years and this is giving rise to increases in journey times in peak urban conditions. While there are obvious implications for urban air quality, monitoring data show that overall air quality is generally good and all mandatory national and EU ambient standards, including in Dublin and Cork, continue to be met. Air quality management planning is a local authority function under the Air Pollution Act, 1987.
Under EU Directive 96/62/EC regarding ambient air quality assessment and management, a proposed subsidiary directive relating to limit values for sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead in ambient air is under discussion in the EU Council of Environment Ministers and the European Parliament. During an open debate at the Council meeting on 23 March 1998, I indicated that Ireland supports the proposal, but acknowledged that the proposed limit value for NOx and PM 10 especially will be challenging in some heavily trafficked urban areas.
Measures already taken, such as the bans on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal in Dublin and Cork and the promotion of the sale of unleaded petrol, have made significant contributions to reduced levels of SO 2 and lead in the atmosphere. I am satisfied we are well placed to meet the stringent standards proposed for these pollutants.
The thrust of policies within the EU since 1970 regarding emissions from motor vehicles has been, and continues to be, based on vehicle type approval and emissions standards. Successively more stringent standards for passenger and goods vehicles have been laid down and Ireland continues to comply with all EU vehicle emission control directives. Ireland also continues to support the developing EU auto oil programme as an appropriate means of addressing many of the environmental issues arising from vehicle emissions. The programme will introduce further measures to reduce emissions from vehicles as well as more stringent fuel standards to apply from the year 2000 and later from 2005. These will assist in meeting the proposed new limit values for NOx and PM 10.
Traffic management strategies for the major urban areas, including Dublin and Cork, have regard to environmental factors. Major road improvements for these areas are also designed to bring benefits in terms of environmental quality. Local measures such as the Dublin Transportation Initiative and traffic management measures elsewhere, the improvement of public transport, the promotion of other alternatives to the private car in major urban areas and the extension of compulsory vehicle testing will assist in the response to urban traffic increases and associated vehicle emissions.