Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his analysis, which I note is the same analysis I received. The EPA told the Minister what it told me, namely, that Dublin is already exceeding the limits. Owing to the increase in monitoring we know that the limits are being exceeded. What was not mentioned in the Minister of State's analysis is that not three metres from the street on which the monitors are to be installed there are homes which are going to exceed the limits. The Minister of State is correct in saying that the local authorities in Dublin suburbs will then be legally required to prepare an air quality action plan. The experts have told this Government that we are going to exceed the limits. Why are we waiting? Why are the four local authorities not being instructed to prepare an air quality action plan to bring pollution levels within their areas of responsibility back within the limit values? That is the law. What we are seeing is an avoidance by Government of its responsibilities in that it is waiting for the EPA to install monitors, review them and then produce the proof that the limits are being exceeded, following which the four local authorities will be instructed to meet their legal requirement and bring forward a plan to reduce those limits.

I am calling on the Government to take its responsibilities seriously and to instruct the four local authorities to get working on the issue now because too many people are dying as a result of poor air quality. There are too many children in my constituency who are not able to go to school because they are suffering from asthma. Their medication is being increased on a regular basis in an effort to deal with this problem. It is not good enough to say that we have to wait until next year to prepare a plan. There is a legal responsibility on the four local authorities to produce a plan. I want the Government to instruct them to bring forward a plan to improve the dreadful air quality in this city.