Air Quality

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2015

Tuesday, 23 June 2015

Questions (598)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

598. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will report on whether any geo-engineering programmes in North America, or elsewhere, are affecting Ireland; whether there are any such projects being carried out in Irish airspace; if he will report on the chemicals being sprayed over the country and the reason; whether tests for dangerous metals have been carried out on rainwater and soil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24733/15]

Written answers

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government

I am not aware of any instances where geo-engineering is being undertaken or planned in this country, or of any geo-engineering programmes elsewhere affecting the Irish environment. I am similarly unaware of any spraying of chemicals over Ireland. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality net work. Deposition of metals to ground through precipitation is included in the EPA’s monitoring programme, and does not indicate grounds for concern in this area. The results of this monitoring which can be found in the EPA’s most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2013 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, which was published in October 2014 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2013. This latest report, and previous years’ reports, are available on their website: www.epa.ie.