Keith Swanick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last month, the Environmental Protection Agency's 57 air quality monitoring stations found that while air quality in this country is below EU limits, it is above the stricter World Health Organization air quality limits for fine particulate matter, ozone and nitrogen dioxide. The introduction of a nationwide ban on bituminous or smoky coal was promised by the Government back in 2017, but it is being held up due to threats of legal action by suppliers. Since the introduction of the smoky coal ban in Dublin in 1990 by Mary Harney, it is estimated that a staggering 8,200 deaths have been prevented in the capital. A number of councils around the country are taking independent action on air pollution to protect their communities and are tabling motions to ban smoky coal in their areas. Sarah O'Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, stated last month:

Air pollution is a public health concern, with potentially harmful effects on all. Children face even higher risks, both to their health and to their development. Those with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma are particularly vulnerable.

One in 13 adults and one in ten children in Ireland have asthma. The rate of deaths from asthma, contrary to international trends, are on the rise, up from 39 deaths in 2012 to a staggering 63 deaths in 2016. Three separate Ministers have dealt with this issue, which is not confined to one party. It warrants cross-party support as it is an important health and climate issue. To that end, I would be grateful if the Leader would arrange a debate on the matter in the coming weeks.

Fianna Fáil tentatively welcomes the fact that an agreement was reached between the European Union and the United Kingdom on the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. While the agreement is preferable to a no-deal Brexit, if it is passed it will nevertheless represent a hard Brexit, with the backstop provided for in the previous agreement removed and replaced with a rolling consent mechanism. However, despite an agreement being reached between the EU and the Prime Minister, Mr. Johnson, the latter has decided to pause the withdrawal Bill due to the decision of MPs not to vote in favour of the timeframe set aside for the Bill. Fianna Fáil favours an extension to Article 50 if it avoids a no-deal Brexit and, amid the ongoing uncertainty and political chaos in Westminster, we will continue to act responsibly, to provide certainty and stability, and to put Ireland's interest first.

I encourage everybody to avail of the seasonal flu vaccination. Flu is a very serious condition.Over 1,000 people die from influenza in Ireland every year. Every winter, influenza is responsible for more than 4,800 admissions to our acute hospital sector at great cost to the health service. Young people also die from influenza. I encourage those in at-risk groups, namely, those over 65 years and those with a chronic disease, as well as carers, to attend their GP or pharmacist to avail of the flu vaccine.