COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF TERENURE-RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE (2)

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

HEADED ITEM NO. 4

Draft Regional Air Quality Management Plan

Dublin Regional Air Quality Management Plan

Executive Summary

In 1999 the four Dublin Region local authorities formally adopted the Dublin Regional Air Quality Management Plan. The principal objective of this Plan was to collectively develop policies and strategies to ensure that measured levels of air pollutant concentrations within the functional areas of the local authorities in the Region complied with air quality target values. It is evident from air quality monitoring data since then that air quality in the Dublin Region is generally good.

The Plan established a number of measures to control and reduce air polluting emissions from both stationary and road transport sources. The Plan also dealt with educational and promotional programmes, and the establishment of a Steering Committee to ensure effective implementation measures.

In the interim there have been a number of notable interventions in improving air quality in the Dublin Region as a result of local, regional, and national initiatives. It is the case though that closer collective action between the local authorities is possible in terms of the continuing management of air quality in the Region. To this end the process to collectively review this Plan began in earnest in late 2006, with a view improving the Plan as necessary. 

The review process will involve public consultation, and the adoption of the Plan is a reserve function.  

This draft Air Quality Management Plan is not a stand-alone document and should be considered in conjunction with the extensive work that has been done by local authorities in the Dublin Region in to relation to planning, waste management, sustainability, climate change, and energy management initiatives.

 

The main strategies in this draft plan include:

  1. Improve coordination of our efforts and build on the good work done to date
  1. Mainstream air quality management into all major policy areas 
  1. Strengthen evidence based decision making by improving how we share information on air quality
  1. Lead by example with measures related to local authority activities that will reduce emissions.   
  1. Identify and priorities tackling main potential threats to air quality.  
  1. Provide clear time- bound criteria for the achievement of objectives.