Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 March 2019
429. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions he plans to include in the national clean air strategy; and the expected breakdown of funding. [10704/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecent scientific evidence indicates that air pollution is more damaging at lower concentrations than was previously understood. With that in mind, I am committed to bringing forward Ireland's first national Clean Air Strategy. The strategy, which I intend to publish this year, will include a range of specific actions to reduce the health and environmental impacts of air pollution, and will address pollution from a range of sectors. As part of this renewed emphasis on the importance of air quality, I am funding the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP) which is being delivered by the Environmental Protection Agency. The AAMP will more than 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. My Department has committed funding of some €5 million over the lifetime of the programme.
In relation to funding of other measures, a key element of the strategy is that it will be integrative in nature, ensuring that air quality considerations are taken into account in decision making across government and in wider society.
