COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING
Thursday, June 17, 2021
MOTION NO.
MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor P. Gogarty, Councillor L. O'Toole
It shall be an objective of the County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 that special measures be put in place to alleviate the effects of air pollution in Palmerstown (noting that Urban air quality modelling of Dublin 2019' prepared for the EPA in 2015, demonstrates that the Kennelsfort Road Lower junction and the Oval junction on the R148 show an Annual Ave NO2 [µg/m3] at 40-45 ug/m3). The EU NO2 annual limit value is 40ug/m3. The M50 which abounds the Old Lucan Road at the western end of Palmerstown Village is 60-100ug/m3.
REPORT:
The proposed motion seeks the inclusion of a specific objective that puts in place special measures to alleviate the effects of air pollution in Palmerstown. It should be noted that Air quality management is carried out under the provisions of the Air Pollution Act 1987. Air quality monitoring stations collect data and the network is managed by the EPA, in partnership with Local Authorities and other public/semi-state bodies and universities. The Council has a number of air quality monitoring stations in the County managed by the Environmental Health Team at Tallaght, Rathcoole and Walkinstown and as such it is considered that this is an operational issue that can be dealt with through the Environmental Health Team and not the County Development Plan.
Nonetheless, the following objectives are included in the CE Draft Plan and it is considered that they adequately address the motion.
“IE 7 Objective 1: To implement the provisions of national and EU Directives on air and noise pollution and other relevant legislative requirements in conjunction with other agencies as appropriate. (Consistent with RPO 10.10 of the RSES)
IE 7 Objective 2:To co-operate with the EPA and TII in the maintenance of a Dublin ambient air quality monitoring network.
IE 7 Objective 3: To implement the recommendations of the Dublin Regional Air Quality Management Plan to protect people from the harmful health effects associated with air pollution, to preserve good air quality where it exists and to improve air quality where it is unsatisfactory.”
Recommendation
It is recommended that the motion is amended to reflect that the provisions of IE 7 Objectives 1, 2 and 3 address the issue raised.