Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 December 2021
32. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to tackle air pollution, particularly in urban areas and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62155/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAir quality in Ireland is protected by a range of legislation and policies, in line with EU and international policy, and is monitored by the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme, operated by the Environment Protection Agency, and funded by my Department.
Data from monitoring stations shows that the measures to protect our air quality have on the whole been effective and where issues with air pollution levels have been observed, particularly in urban areas, it has been primarily due to the burning of solid fuel or traffic related pollution.
Each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through enhanced regulation of all solid fuels. Next year, new emissions standards will be introduced across a range of fuels to ensure that the most polluting will no longer be available for sale on the Irish market. Introducing these standards will improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve.
The UTRAP (Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution) group was established in 2019 to look at the key measures required in order to reduce transport related pollution in our urban areas. The final report from the group will also consider the details of the Five Cities Demand Management Study, published recently by the Department of Transport. This report contains measures aimed at reducing emissions, tackling congestion, improving air quality, and improving the overall urban environment of Dublin, Cork, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.
The national Clean Air Strategy, currently being finalised by my Department, will commit us to further cutting levels of the most damaging and dangerous pollutants in order to help us move towards the guideline limits recommended by the World Health Organisation. The Strategy will also identify and promote the integrated measures and actions across Government that are required to reduce air pollution and promote cleaner air, while delivering on wider national objectives.
