Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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216. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of consultations that have taken place in relation to the development of the national clean air strategy; the way they have been incorporated into Government policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4302/22]

Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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217. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment when the consultation on the national clean air strategy will commence; the timeline for the consultation and for the strategy, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4303/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216 and 217 together.

A public consultation on a Clean Air Strategy was undertaken in 2017 and some 116 submissions were received, which informed the development of a subsequent draft of the Strategy. Given the significant progress that has been made since then in improving our ambient air monitoring programme, the extension of low smoke zones, and specific Programme for Government commitments to improve the quality of our air, a review of the previous strategy has been required.  

This has enabled us to incorporate the findings of the public consultation on a new solid fuel regulation for Ireland and capture the positive impacts that the measures provided for in the Climate Action Plan 2021 will have on the quality of our air. The Strategy will also outline how we will enhance and protect the air we breathe, and set out a pathway, based on a comprehensive cross-Government programme of policies and measures, that will tackle all sources of air pollution.

I intend to launch a public consultation on this Strategy in the coming weeks, and precise timelines will be announced in due course.