Air pollution is a significant issue across Europe, which is why Ireland is working closely with the Commission and other Member States to ensure that the most ambitious measures are introduced in the revised Clean Air for Europe Directive.
As outlined in the recent Environmental Protection Agency Air Quality in Ireland Report 2022, while the quality of the air that we breathe is generally good, there are localised issues which need to be addressed. The Clean Air Strategy highlights that each year, an estimated 1,410 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution and the majority, as a result of particulate matter from solid fuel burning.
Government is committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through a suite of measures as outlined in the strategy and through the implementation of enhanced regulation of all solid fuels.
The Urban Transport Related Air Pollution Working Group (UTRAP) was formed in Autumn 2019 to consider and address rising concerns about the level of transport-generated air pollution. Reports from the work of the group can be found online at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f634-urban-transport-related-air-pollution-utrap-working-group/. The group continues to meet as a forum for ongoing engagement between the key transport stakeholders
In addition, air pollution, elevated as a result of high traffic levels is being addressed across Dublin through the Dublin Region Air Quality Management Plan 2021 and other key stakeholders who have primary responsibility for developing measures to reduce traffic congestion.
