Environmental Protection Agency Release ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2023’ Report

The Environmental Protection Agency has published a report on air quality in Ireland. This report contains data gathered from 115 monitoring stations across the country in 2023.  

According to the results of this report the main factors affecting Irish air quality are the burning of solid fuels in our homes which releases fine particles into the air and the creation of nitrogen dioxide from traffic on the roads. The report also highlighted the increase in these pollutants which was evident in colder months when people were using vehicles to travel and solid fuels to heat their homes more often than in the summer months. Although Ireland met the EU’s 2023 air quality limits these pollutants were identified at higher levels in Ireland than is recommended in the World Health Organisation’s air quality guidelines. 

The ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2023’ report identified ways that the Irish public and local authorities could work to reduce emissions to meet the country’s Clean Air targets. These include cutting down on the amount of fossil fuels used in home heating and where possible taking transport other than a private car on journeys. It was also made clear that local authorities need to play an important role in facilitating these changes by providing cycle lanes and safe footpaths across the country for active travel, enforcing compliance with solid fuel regulations and increasing investment in public transport infrastructure nationwide.  

On the launch of this report, Dr. Micheál Lehane, Director of the EPA’s Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring said:  

“Ireland now has a world class air quality monitoring network so the evidence base is strong in showing us that air pollution is not just a city phenomenon, there are negative impacts in towns and villages right across the country.  If we want to achieve our ambition of Clean Air for everyone, everywhere, all year round, then we need to address the emissions from residential heating and invest in transport systems right across the country.” 

The ‘Air Quality in Ireland 2023’ report is available to read in full here