Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022
118. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he has read reports that reduced activity during initial Covid-19 lockdowns prevented more than 800 air pollution-related deaths; and his plans to tackle air pollution in Ireland. [9444/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recent research report which suggested that possibly 800 air pollution related deaths were avoided across Europe as a result of the first lockdown measures, which impacted primarily on transport related emissions. I recognise the correlation between transport-related air pollutant emissions and negative public health impacts. In 2020, monitoring stations operated by the Environmental Protection Agency, though the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme, showed that air pollution from traffic reduced, particularly at urban roadside locations, because of decreased traffic volumes due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Among the best ways to reduce emissions from private vehicles across the road network as a whole, is to remove older more polluting vehicles from our streets, and to encourage a modal shift to sustainable travel options, including walking and cycling, and electric vehicles.
The interim report of the Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution Group, which was published last year, made a number of recommendations on how to reduce vehicle emissions. In addition, the Five Cities Traffic Demand Management Study, published recently by the Department of Transport, proposes a range of measures to combat overreliance on cars. The report also includes a toolkit that Local Authorities can use to help them to reduce emissions, tackle congestion, and improve air quality as well as the overall urban environment in our five major cities.
Further actions to reduce transport-related air pollutant emissions are being developed as part of the Clean Air Strategy, and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications continues to work in conjunction with the Department of Transport on these matters.
