Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he has studied the monitoring of air pollution with particular reference to identification of the areas most severely affected; the plans he has to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31232/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Air quality assessment is the responsibility of the Environmental Protection Agency and air quality management a matter for local authorities informed by air quality measurement data.

The Environmental Protection Agency's Air Quality in Ireland 2005 report, published in July 2006 (available in the Oireachtas Library), contains details of the monitoring and assessment of national air quality, and incorporates data from all air quality monitoring stations operated by the EPA and local authorities. Air quality was good throughout the country in 2005 and complied with the air quality standards in force for all pollutants.

From its recent report Environment in Focus 2006; Environmental Indicators for Ireland, I am aware of the Environmental Protection Agency's concern in relation to increasing emissions of nitrogen oxides and the challenge for Ireland in meeting our 2010 nitrogen dioxide target under EU Directive 1999/30/EC. In this regard I refer to the reply to Question No. 116 on today's Order Paper.

Question No. 335 answered with QuestionNo. 326.