Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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714. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position in respect of air quality standards regulation in respect of whether these apply or if some other regulations apply in relation to the pollution that comes from aircraft flying over the country in view of the increased numbers of these for persons that live in the fly paths and the impact it can have on the air quality in those areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17719/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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Regulations which set the standards for limiting harmful air pollutant emissions from aircraft, are covered in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 16 Volume II. These regulations are implemented and enforced in the EU via Regulation (EC) No 216 of 2008, within the framework of the work of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In addition, the EU Aviation Emissions Trading Scheme (DIRECTIVE 2003/87) is implemented in Ireland by SI 490 of 2012.

As regards the climate effects of aircraft emissions, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the main EU tool for bringing about reductions in aviation greenhouse gas emissions associated with flights within its own administrative area. The International Civil Aviation Organisation has agreed to develop a global market based measure to address international aviation, aiming to stabilise international aviation emissions at 2020 levels. The first phase of this mechanism, which the EU and its Member States intend to apply, will operate on a voluntary inclusion basis.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitor a range of atmospheric pollutants, based on data obtained from the monitoring stations that form the national ambient air quality network. The results of this monitoring which can be found in the EPA’s, Air Quality in Ireland 2016 – Key Indicators of Ambient Air Quality. This latest report and previous years’ reports as well as a recent public consultation document are available on their website: www.epa.ie. Emissions from aircraft have not been identified as negatively impacting on air quality standards in Ireland in any reports from the EPA to date.

Periodically some concerns are expressed about the condensation trails which can be seen from aircraft. I am not aware of any credible information or evidence that the trails from aircraft passing over Ireland are anything other than normal condensation trails, referred to as “contrails”, the appearance of which is known to vary according to atmospheric conditions, and which have no observable impact on air quality or human health.