Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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226. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the degree to which air and water pollution continues to be monitored; if notable results have been found, on foot of which any corrective action is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38812/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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Air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, also known as the CAFE Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are conducted for the purpose of assessment and management of air quality.  The EPA has responsibility for the monitoring of air quality in Ireland, and monitors a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the 31 monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network.

The EPA publishes an annual report on air quality, based primarily on the monitoring requirements of the CAFE Directive.  The most recent report, Air Quality in Ireland 2014– Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality, was published in September 2015 and provides an assessment of air quality in Ireland for 2014, compared to the CAFE Directive standards, as well as assessments in relation to more stringent World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines for the protection of human health and the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimated reference levels.

I welcome the fact that no levels above the EU limit value were recorded at any of the ambient air quality network monitoring sites in Ireland in 2014, while noting that Ireland exceeds WHO air quality guideline values for particulate matter (PM) in some areas. Particulate matter levels are of concern, particularly during the winter heating season in some areas where the sale of smoky coal is permitted.  Because of this, levels of particulate matter in smaller towns can often be similar to, or higher than, those in cities where the sale and use of smoky coal is banned.  To help protect our good air quality, consumers must become more aware of their choice in home heating fuel and the potential impact that this choice can have on air quality in their locality and on human health.

In respect of monitoring of water quality, the EPA, local authorities, Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Marine Institute all monitor rivers, lakes, transitional and coastal waters, and groundwater quality under the Water Framework Directive. This extensive monitoring programme provides a good overview of current water quality and trends as they develop.

In its recently published Water Quality in Ireland 2010-2012 report, the EPA outlines the most recent results from this monitoring programme. The report shows an improvement in the quality of Ireland’s waters over the period in question. However, the report also points out the key pressures which must be addressed in the context of the Water Framework Directive. A copy of this report and other comprehensive reports on water quality compiled by the EPA are available for download at .

In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, these challenges are being addressed by the development of River Basin Management Plans. Ireland is now preparing its second round of Plans which will be in place by the end of 2017. A public consultation process which seeks views on what are the significant water management issues to be addressed in the second cycle of Plans will conclude on 18 December 2015. Submissions received in response to this consultation, and further consultation in 2016 on draft River Basin Management Plans, will be taken into account in the preparation of the final Plans.