James O’Sullivan, a Fine Gael member of Greystones Town Council, has called for improved air quality in the North Wicklow areas of Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle. The call comes as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plan to redraw their air quality zones based on the finalised 2011 Census results.
Councillor O’Sullivan said, “I welcome the fact that the EPA has recommended an extension to the existing ban on the sale of bituminous coal to reduce the concentrations of particulate matter thus improving air quality. The Air Pollution Act currently sets out that there must be no more than 0.7% sulphur content in all bituminous coal sold in the country, thus improving the air quality in many towns around the country.”
Councillor O’Sullivan noted however “At present, Bray is located in the EPA’s ‘Zone C’ where the sale of bituminous coal is restricted by the regulations. I would like to see Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle included in this area in light of the finalised 2011 Census results, which were recently published. There has been a significant increase in the population of the Greystones area, I’m calling for this ban on smoky fuels to be extended. Harmful emissions of particulate matter and other air pollutants arising from the use of residential fuels is a real problem in the community and something that should be changed.”
“The Environmental Protection Agency publishes a comprehensive annual report on air quality. In a report in recent years, the EPA found that levels of particulate matter in smaller towns outside the existing ban areas can be similar or worse than those in cities. Therefore, Greystones air could potentially be more polluted than the air above the skies in Dublin”, stated Councillor O’Sullivan.
“Greystones and the surrounding areas as per the 2006 Census figures have a population of 14,569, and no smoky coal ban exists. This compares to Arklow, which per the same census had 11,759 people, yet a ban exists. This is a discrepancy which must be fixed based on the review.”
“As stated in the EPA Air Quality in Ireland 2010 report, enforcement by local authorities and support from retailers is important for the effective implementation of these regulations. I believe an extension of the zone would improve air quality and benefit the community. The Department have said that some settlements (for example Greystones, Delgany, Kilcoole and Newcastle) have extended beyond ‘ban area’ boundaries which are outdated, leading to inconsistency in regulatory controls in those areas”
“I have written to the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government as part of the public consultation process on smoky coal ban regulations with a view to extending the restrictions thus improving air quality and public health in North Wicklow.”
Councillor O’Sullivan concluded, “Reducing air pollution is an important matter of public health which I will be pursuing.”
The publics are invited to make submissions outlining their views. The deadline is Thursday, 17th May.
Submissions can be sent to:
Ms. June Flood
Environmental Compliance and Air Quality Section
Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government
Newtown Road
Wexford
Co. Wexford
Email: june.flood@environ.ie or airquality@environ.ie
Cllr. James O’Sullivan
Tue, May 8, 2012
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