Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2016. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on air pollution and its effects on persons with asthma (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32839/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of sources of air pollution, including residential home heating, agriculture and transport.
Emissions from transport, including particulate matter (PM) emissions, can have a detrimental impact on both environmental ecosystems and human health. Inhalation of PM can increase respiratory morbidity (including exacerbation of existing conditions such as asthma) as well as contributing to cardiovascular disease. A significant contributor to the rise in NOx emissions in recent years throughout the EU has been the higher than expected emissions from the new fleet of road vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles.
In recognition of the fact that air pollution has greater impact on health at lower levels than was previously understood, I am preparing to launch Ireland’s first ever National Clean Air Strategy, which will provide the strategic policy framework to identify and promote the required integrated measures across Government to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while also delivering on wider social and economic objectives. A number of measures to address emissions from transport will be articulated in the strategy, including a review of financial measures that may incentivise particular consumer choices in transport. The setting of excise duty rates on fuels is ultimately, however, a matter for the Minister for Finance.
A key part of the strategy will be the expansion of our monitoring and data gathering capacity, to better inform policy choices. Following a review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of air quality monitoring and information provision in Ireland, a decision was taken to develop a new Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP) which aims to enhance and build on current arrangements. The new national Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme is being developed under Section 65 of the EPA Act, 1992 as amended. One of the key objectives of the programme is to enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. The statutory basis for the programme underlines the importance placed on air quality monitoring in Ireland. The AAMP will double the number of ambient air quality monitoring stations in Ireland by 2022, and enhance the provision of real time air quality data to the public. Further details on the timeframes for the expansion of the network will be released as they become available. I fully support this important initiative, and have committed funding of some €5 million over the lifetime of the programme.
