Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Environmental Protection Agency Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2019

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

Ceisteanna (201)

Martin Heydon

Ceist:

201. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps to be taken following the publication of a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (details supplied). [42508/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious of the importance of air quality to human health, particularly respiratory health. This is particularly relevant in larger conurbations. The report in question indicated that areas around certain heavily trafficked roads in the Dublin area may have higher levels of air pollution than previously indicated. These higher levels are due primarily to traffic and some locations are at risk of exceeding the statutory EU limit for the pollutant Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2).

People with asthma, as well as children and the elderly are generally at greater risk for the health effects of NO2. Because of these health effects, NO2 is a controlled pollutant under the Clean Air for Europe (CAFE) Directive, (2008/50/EC), which sets limits on NO2 levels in the ambient air. An annual average limit value of 40 micrograms per cubic metre is in place to protect against the health effects of long term exposure, and an hourly limit value of 200 micrograms per cubic metre protects against acute exposure.

In the event of an exceedance of these limits, the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2011 provide that the relevant local authority or authorities shall prepare a clear, comprehensible and accessible air quality plan, or review and revise an existing plan, to ensure compliance with the limit value or values within the time limit specified for the relevant pollutant or pollutants. Such an air quality plan must be submitted within two years of the end of the year in which the exceedance was observed.

The report also underlines the need to implement the Climate Action Plan, which was published in June this year. The Plan includes a number of actions which will have a significant impact on reducing emissions and improving air quality, including:

- Putting 180,000 electric vehicles on our roads by 2025 and almost 1m by 2030

- Ensuring the EV charging network underpins public confidence

- Creating an early public procurement framework for EVs

- Accelerating steps to decarbonise the public transport fleet

- Establishing a Cycling Project Office, develop a 5 year cycling strategy and roll out 200km of new cycle lanes through bus connects

- Developing a new Park and Ride Strategy, to reduce congestion and lower journey times

- Developing a regulatory framework on low emission zones and parking pricing policies, and provide local authorities with the power to restrict access to certain parts of a city or a town to zero emission vehicles only

- Legislating for no new fossil fuel vehicles to be sold from 2030

My Department and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport are establishing a working group, bringing relevant organisations together to ensure early action is taken to improve the air quality in Dublin. This process will include the two Departments, the four Dublin Local Authorities, the EPA ,and other relevant stakeholders.

This work will complement the work already underway in developing an all of government Clean Air Strategy which will provide an overarching policy framework within which clean air policies can be formulated and given effect in a manner consistent with national priorities, EU and other international policy considerations. The Clean Air Strategy will address a range of harmful air pollutants in Ireland, including those arising from the agricultural, transport and residential heating sectors, in an integrated manner. I intend to publish the Strategy in the coming months.

Barr
Roinn