Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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1662. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the levels of vehicle emissions originating here over the past decade; the way in which vehicle emissions are monitored here; if he has considered expanding the approach utilised to take emissions other than carbon dioxide into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24716/16]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Air quality monitoring in Ireland is carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency to meet the requirements of EU Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe, known as the CAFÉ Directive. The Directive requires that certain minimum levels of monitoring are carried out for the purposes of assessment and management of air quality.

  The EPA 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, primarily based on the monitoring requirements of the CAFÉ 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 CAFÉ 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.

The report indicates that NOx values, arising primarily from the transport sector, are showing a slight increase over 2013 figures at some locations, and indicates a risk that growth in economic activity will lead to an increase in NOx levels.  Similarly, the report indicates that levels of particulates (PM2.5) and compounds (PAH) have increased at some stations.

A significant contributor to the rise in NOx emissions in recent years throughout the EU has been the higher than expected emissions from the new fleet of road vehicles, particularly diesel vehicles.  Over time, discrepancies have come to light between the emissions recorded from vehicles during emissions testing and ‘real’ driving.  The European Commission approach has been to revise the test cycle to be more representative of emissions from real-world driving experience (RDE). Ireland fully supported the proposals and early implementation.  The Road Safety Authority, which is under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is the agency centrally involved in this issue on behalf of Ireland.

Ireland supports the Commission proposals for the introduction of real driving emissions (RDEs) during the type approval testing process and will support the Commission’s drive for implementation as early as possible. We are also of the view that this measure should be supplemented with an enhanced regime of monitoring emission levels from vehicles. Given the nature of both auto manufacture and the EU’s single market, a coordinated European response across all Member States is necessary and appropriate.

To help address concern at the above developments and other air quality issues, my Department has commenced work on the first ever national Clean Air Strategy which will provide an overarching strategic policy framework within which clean air policies can be formulated and given effect in a manner consistent with national, EU and international policy considerations and priorities. The Strategy will set a progressive vision for managing and improving Ireland’s air quality across the broad range of Government Departments and Agencies, and will seek to integrate such considerations into future sectoral policy and expenditure decisions. The development of the strategy is especially timely, in the context of the EU’s Clean Air Package, as it will act as a policy framework for the implementation of the provisions of the package in Ireland. It will also complement and add value to it, by having a particular focus on national priority areas not addressed by EU legislation.

The Clean Air Strategy will target priority air pollutants in Ireland in an integrated manner, addressing the relevant sectors including transport, with the aim of identifying cost-effective short, medium and long term goals and action for reducing air pollutant levels.  The strategy will seek to ensure continued and on-going compliance with current and future EU legislation, but also improved health outcomes and wider environmental benefits. Importantly, the strategy will also aim to align relevant sectoral strategies, in particular, climate change and clean air policies, to ensure complementary actions to avoid policy conflict, maximising co-benefits and thus cost effectiveness.

The setting of motor tax rates is a matter for the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.