Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 275: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of locations here at which air quality is monitored; his views on the findings of such research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36322/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the extent to which he has studied air pollution reports from the various monitoring locations here; the degree to which he has noted particular trends, in particular harmful emissions; his proposals to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36323/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.

The monitoring, assessment and management of ambient air quality in Ireland is carried out according to the requirements of the EU Air Quality Framework Directive. This Directive became law through the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, (Ambient Air Quality Assessment and Management) Regulations, 1999. Under further regulations made in 2002, 2004 and 2009, specific ambient air quality standards have been prescribed for the following pollutants; sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxides of nitrogen, particulate matter and lead (2002); carbon monoxide and benzene (2002); ozone (2004); and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, arsenic, nickel, cadmium and mercury in ambient air (2009).

Where the indicative level for any pollutant is exceeded, the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2002 require the local authority concerned, following notification by the EPA, to develop a long-term air quality management plan to ensure compliance with the thresholds for the relevant pollutant or pollutants. The EPA reports the results of the air quality monitoring of the above pollutants through its website:http://www.epa.ie/whatwedo/monitoring/air/data/. My Department keeps these data under ongoing review to identify any significant trends which might emerge and also meets periodically with the EPA on air quality issues.

The EPA also publishes a comprehensive annual report on air quality, the most recent being the report on Air Quality in Ireland 2008 (September 2009). This report provides an overview of ambient air quality trends in Ireland in 2008 based on data from 30 monitoring stations. In addition there were a further 18 monitoring stations operated by local authorities to measure black smoke. The Report did not identify any area in the country where ambient air quality is under threat and confirmed that Ireland is fully compliant with the air quality standards in force for all pollutants.

As part of a commitment on monitoring air quality made under the 2007 Programme for Government my Department requested the EPA to undertake an overall review of the adequacy of the air quality monitoring network in light of population change in urban areas. The review has now been completed and a report of its findings is currently being finalised by the EPA.