Ms Laura Burke:

The ambient air quality monitoring network is a national network. It monitors compliance with air quality directives at EU level. At the start of 2017, there were 29 different monitors, 19 of which were real time. I am referring to compliance with EU requirements. We are fully compliant in Ireland with regard to the amount of monitoring. However, while we are in compliance with EU standards, a number of the monitoring stations' air quality failed to meet the WHO guidelines. Therefore, it is not a standard set by the WHO. Rather, it is a guideline or recommendation, including in respect of fine particulate. We have raised this in our air quality reports. We have also called for making compliance with the WHO guidelines the standard rather than the EU standard, as such.

What we are looking to do is increase the number of stations throughout the country from 29 to 81. This would more than double the number of air quality stations. We have got agreement with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment for that. It will cost around €5 million. There is a monitoring aspect but, to answer the Deputy's question, there is also a modelling and forecasting capability aspect to the programme we are rolling out. We are engaging with the likes of Met Éireann with regard to that.

It is also a matter of encouraging greater public understanding and involvement in air quality through citizen science, etc. Therefore, there are a combination of initiatives. To answer the Deputy's question, we are increasing the number of stations from 29 to 81.

Let me refer to what occurs if there is a particular issue at a site. With a fire, for example, there would not necessarily be an air quality monitoring station just beside it. We have portable stations that can be, and are, brought to locations to monitor the air quality in those situations.