Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2015
209. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide long-term funding to the atmospheric research station at Mace Head in County Galway, given its importance in continuing to measure climate and air pollution data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44535/15]
View answerThe importance of the Mace Head Atmospheric Research Station, at local and indeed global levels, is recognised by all stakeholders involved in the collection and use of climate and air pollution data. The Station is owned and operated by the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). It provides unique data on atmospheric change including data on the build-up of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is associated with climate change. The Station provides a range of scientific reports which are among the most cited in this area of science. It also supplies on-going data on levels of air pollutants to the National Ambient Air Quality Network operated by the Environmental Protection Agency and other national and European agencies.
Due to its strategic location and importance the Mace Head Research facility has received considerable amounts of research funding from national, EU, US and other sources. Support for the work of the Station has been provided by the State to NUIG through the funding of research projects and the provision of scientific support for activities at the site, in particular by the EPA, but also by other national research funding bodies. My Department does not provide direct funding to NUIG for the operation of the Station.
