Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 November 2023
29. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption of the 2021 World Health Organisation (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines as legally binding targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51491/23]
View answerAir pollution is a significant issue across Europe, which is why Ireland is working closely with the Commission and other Member States to ensure that the most ambitious measures are introduced in the revised Clean Air for Europe Directive.
Ireland’s first Clean Air Strategy published in April this year, sets out a high level of ambition for air quality improvements. In terms of the 2021 WHO air quality guidelines the Strategy commits us towards full alignment by 2040, and the achievement of interim targets in 2026 and 2030.
Progressing on this pathway will save thousands of lives over the coming years and improve people’s quality of life. Working together across Government is essential to realise the full environmental and health benefits of cleaner air.
The cross government Clean Air Strategic Implementation Group has been established to ensure the integration of clean air considerations into policy development across Government. This group will ensure that we are held accountable for delivering on our ambition through a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures that will tackle all sources of air pollution, including priority actions from the transport, agriculture and residential sectors.
In addition, the new Ambient Air Quality Directive will include legally binding targets for Ireland for air quality, moving towards the WHO Guidelines, this together with the measures described in the Clean Air Strategy will inform the steps required to ensure Ireland achieves its ambition in relation to clean air for all.
