Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to effect the National Emissions Ceilings Directive which gives Ireland specific ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants, in particular the reduction of emissions of NOx from the transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32942/07]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The 2001 EU Directive on National Emission Ceilings specifies challenging aggregate national ceilings for four transboundary pollutants which must be achieved by 2010. Since 2001, Ireland has made positive progress in reducing emissions of all four pollutants — sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ammonia (NH3). The reductions to date are the result of effective policies and measures, including regulatory, fiscal and voluntary instruments, across all sectors of the economy. The trend is projected to continue with further significant decreases forecast out to 2010 and beyond.

For three of the four pollutants, sulphur dioxide, ammonia and volatile organic compounds, Ireland is on target to comply or over-comply with the 2010 ceilings. In the case of nitrogen oxides, the ceiling as it is currently set presents a difficulty in that it does not provide a cost-effective or proportionate burden for Ireland relative to the objectives of the Directive.

The National Programme on Transboundary Pollutants was updated in July 2007 to reflect additional sectoral measures which have been adopted and/or implemented by Government since the Programme was announced in 2005. Identification of additional measures which are viable and cost-effective in reducing all four pollutants, particularly all sources of NOx, is ongoing. Investment under Transport 21 and the continuous strengthening of European vehicle standards are key responses to reducing nitrogen oxides emissions in the transport sector.