Vol. 564 No. 2
227 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has received information regarding increased levels of methane or other such gases in the Dublin city area in recent times; if there are plans to identify the causes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9233/03]
The Environmental Protection Agency reports annually on the emissions levels of greenhouse gases, including methane, where emissions arise principally from the agriculture and waste sectors. The data are compiled on a sectoral and sub-sectoral basis only and a geographic breakdown is not available.
The EPA's air quality monitoring annual report for 2001, a copy of which is available in the Oireachtas Library, details air quality recorded at monitoring stations throughout Ireland, including those in the Dublin city area, in the 2001 to 2002 monitoring period. The report provides results for sulphur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, ozone, lead, carbon monoxide and benzene. It indicates that, apart from readings at one anomalous site (where further investigations as to the causes of the readings are warranted), air quality in Dublin meets current standards.
Ringsend waste water treatment plant which will treat waste water from all Dublin city, including much of the surrounding region, and radically improve water quality in Dublin Bay is in the commissioning phase. This could on occasion give rise to odours in the vicinity of the plant. The city council is making every effort to reduce such instances which will be completely eliminated when the plant becomes fully operational in the next two months or so.
Other than the foregoing, my Department has received no information as outlined in the question.
