Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019
53. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number and location of existing and planned air quality monitoring stations in cities and towns; and the actions he will take to introduce a national clean air strategy in 2019. [42294/19]
View answerAmbient air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the 2008 Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive (Directive 2008/50/EC) and the Fourth Daughter Directive (Directive 2004/107/EC of 15 December 2004). These Directives include rules on how Member States should monitor, assess and manage ambient air quality. Under the Directives, EU Member States must designate "zones" for the purpose of managing air quality. For Ireland, four zones were defined in the Air Quality Standards Regulations, 2011. The zones in place in Ireland in 2017 are Zone A: the Dublin conurbation; Zone B: the Cork conurbation; Zone C: comprising 23 large towns in Ireland with a population of more than 15,000; and Zone D: the remaining area of Ireland. Ireland established a nationwide network of monitoring stations which measure levels of air pollutants in the four zones. This information is delivered to the public in near real-time at www.airquality.ie
Following a review by the Environmental Protection Agency of air quality monitoring and information provision in Ireland, a decision was taken to develop a new National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme which aims to enhance and build on current arrangements. The Monitoring Programme will more than double the capacity of ambient air quality monitoring in Ireland by 2022, and enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. My Department has committed funding of some €5 million over the lifetime of the programme.
There are currently 45 monitoring stations in the network from which data is reported to the Commission under the Directives, at the following locations:
Carlow Town
Clare - Ennis
Cork - Cobh
Cork - Heatherton Park
Cork - Institute of Technology (CIT)
Cork - Macroom
Cork - South Link Road
Cork - University College Cork
Donegal - Malin Head
Donegal - Letterkenny
Dublin - Ballyfermot
Dublin - Blanchardstown
Dublin - Clonskeagh
Dublin - Davitt Road
Dublin - Dun Laoghaire
Dublin - Finglas
Dublin - Marino
Dublin - Phoenix Park
Dublin - Rathmines
Dublin - Ringsend
Dublin - Rosemount
Dublin - St Anne's Park
Dublin - St John's Road West
Dublin - Swords
Dublin - Tallaght
Dublin - Winetavern St
Galway - Mace Head
Galway - Rahoon Road
Kerry - Valentia
Kilkenny - Seville
Laois - Emo
Laois - Portlaoise
Limerick - Peoples Park
Limerick - Shannon Estuary
Longford - Longford Town
Louth - Dundalk
Mayo-Castlebar
Mayo-Claremorris
Monaghan - Kilkitt
Roscommon Town
Tipperary Town
Waterford City
Wexford - Carnsore Point
Wexford - Enniscorthy
Wicklow-Bray
In addition, a further 26 monitoring stations are planned under the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme for the following locations:
Cavan Town
Cork - Cobh Carrig Hse
Cork - Mallow
Cork City - Traffic
Dublin - Balbriggan
Dublin - Pearse St
Dublin Airport
Dublin Port
Galway City - Traffic
Galway - Ballinasloe
Galway - Suburban Traffic
Kerry - Tralee
Kerry - Listowell
Kildare - Leixlip
Kildare - Naas
Leitrim - Carrick-on-Shannon
Limerick City - Traffic
Louth - Drogheda
Meath - Navan
Offaly - Birr
Offaly-Edenderry
Sligo Town
Tipperary - Clonmel
Waterford City - Traffic
Wexford Town
Wicklow-Greystones
The criteria for the location of monitoring equipment for each pollutant are set out in the Directives.
This monitoring network is augmented by a number of other monitoring stations operated by local authorities which do not meet the criteria set out in the Directives but which provide additional useful information on local air quality conditions.
In relation to the Clean Air Strategy, I refer the Deputy to the reply to Question No 450 of 1 October 2019. The position is unchanged.
