European Air Report Demands Action- Cuffe

The Green Party has welcomed the publication of a new report on air quality from the European Environmental Agency (EEA) and has called for further action on phasing out the most polluting transport and heating sources.

Ciarán Cuffe Green Party MEP for Dublin said: “On the face of it this report from the EEA is good news. Dublin’s air quality is relatively clean much of the time. However, during calm winter periods the pollution levels can soar to very unhealthy levels. We therefore need to phase out the burning of damp wood in fires and stoves, as well as ensure the existing regulations banning the use of smoky coal in urban are fully enforced.

“Three months ago, the Government asked for the public’s views on solid fuels. I said new regulations are needed for solid fuel burning appliances. These could set new minimum seasonal efficiency and maximum emission requirements for solid fuel burning room heater stoves, with boilers and cooker appliances. Such regulations are in place in the United Kingdom.

“We also need to tackle dangerously high levels of nitrogen dioxide in Dublin in the city centre; along the Liffey Quays, and at Kilmainham and Whitehall. This is mainly caused by cars, and the sooner we move to phase out the internal combustion engine (ICE) at EU level the better. An ‘ICE ban’ has been mooted by the European Commission for 2035, but a date to phase out the sale of polluting cars should be set for 2030. I am working with my Green Party colleagues within the European Parliament to achieve this.

“Poor air quality leads to 400,000 premature deaths within the European Union every year, and over 1,200 premature deaths in Ireland. The sooner we take stronger action to tackle the sources of pollution, the better.”

ENDS