William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

155. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government to address Ireland’s preparedness for the stricter EU air quality standards set to take effect in 2030; the actions being taken to meet these targets and reduce premature deaths from air pollution by 55 percent, as outlined in the EU Zero Pollution Action Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60533/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government's Clean Air Strategy is the main vehicle for progressing measures and actions to improve air quality across Ireland. The second annual progress report (July 2025) was submitted to Government for information and is available to view at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-climate-energy-and-the-environment/press-releases/government-approves-legislation-to-improve-air-quality-protecting-our-health-and-environment/

Ireland is fully compliant with all current relevant EU air quality limits and is working on measures to ensure we meet the future commitments set out in the Clean Air Strategy and the revised EU Ambient Air Quality Directive.

Some of the key highlights of the 2025 progress report are:

• Compliance with the ammonia emission target of the National Emissions Ceiling Directive (NECD) in 2023 has been achieved and is largely due to increased uptake of low-emission slurry spreading (LESS) and a reduction in nitrogen fertiliser use. Continued uptake of these technologies will be vital to ensure ongoing compliance throughout this decade and with the more ambitious limits that come into force in 2030.
• National sulphur dioxide emissions reduced by 21% between 2022 and 2023, a large reduction for a one-year period. This is the result of significant reductions in the combustion of fossil fuels in the energy generation, residential and commercial sectors, due in part to increased retrofit activity and heat pump installation in households.
• Development of a new public-focused air quality website by Cork City Council, supported by my Department, to provide information on the sources of air pollution, health impact and practical actions to take to ensure improvements – www.cleanair.ie
• Establishment of a pilot project with specific local authorities focusing on areas with air quality concerns related to transport and solid fuel burning. Funding of up to €500,000 has been made available to support work by the relevant local authorities.
• The Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill was published in July 2025. This Bill proposes amendments to the Air Pollution Act of 1987 to support enhanced enforcement by the local authorities and improve the registration and compliance systems in relation to the commercial sale and supply of solid fuels.
• PEACEPLUS funding of €6.5million has been awarded to a cross-border partnership that will work to improve air quality through strategic engagement, research and activities supporting policies and actions across the island of Ireland. The PEACE-Air partnership will provide scientific evidence on air pollution sources to inform emission reduction policies, raise awareness on the detrimental health effects of air pollution and its causes, build capacity for clean air research and action, encourage behavioural changes, and strengthen enforcement against air pollution.