Vol. 490 No. 4
108 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that recent studies in Britain relate the very high incidents of asthma to air pollution caused by car emissions; and his views on whether there is a similar problem here in Ireland. [10368/98]
Road transport, due to fossil fuel consumption, is a significant source of air pollution. In recent years increased vehicular traffic and fuel emissions are affecting ambient air quality in urban areas. Clearly, poor air quality would adversely affect persons suffering with respiratory ailments. The monitoring of fuel emissions and ambient air quality is the responsibility of the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency.
