Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Recent scientific evidence indicates that air pollution is more damaging at lower concentrations than was previously understood. Tackling the sources and causes of air pollution is a significant challenge and will form part of the overall climate action plan we will put in place. It involves emissions from transport, industry, agriculture and shipping and the use of solid fuels in homes. It goes across a wide spectrum and is a major challenge. Given the wide range of pollutants, it is important that action is co-ordinated across these sectors. A number of plans are under development, including the national air pollution control programme and the national energy and climate plan, which is relevant to the clean air agenda. As part of this renewed emphasis on the importance of air quality, the Department is also funding the ambient air quality monitoring programme which will greatly improve the data available on air pollution in Ireland, facilitating the design and targeting of policy measures to tackle it.

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