Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 January 2021
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which air quality continues to be monitored; the extent of the deterioration quality in all areas throughout the country; the areas most seriously affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1898/21]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for monitoring ambient air quality in Ireland via the national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme 2017-2022 (AAMP). Under this programme the national monitoring network has undergone a significant upgrade in recent years and has been expanded from 30 stations in 2017 to 88 by the end of 2020. All stations collect air quality data for a range of pollutants in order to provide information to the public, and for assessment against European legal limit values and World Health Organisation guideline values.
Real-time data from these monitoring stations is available online at all times at www.airquality.ie and the most recent report on Ireland’s air quality can be found at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/air/quality/epaairqualityreport2019.html.
Air quality in Ireland is generally good, and compares favourably with other European countries. Significant reductions in emissions have already been achieved through a range of policy measures and other developments. However, as more comprehensive, real-time, localised air quality information becomes available through the AAMP, it is apparent that there are key pollutants which still need to be addressed more comprehensively.
To this end my Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy which I intend to publish in the coming weeks. The Strategy will provide the policy framework necessary to identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
