Clean air strategy
Deputy Cronin asks when the promised clean air strategy will be published, citing high lung disease rates and pollution-related deaths. The Tánaiste says he does not have a date but will check and inform the Deputy's office.
I have many constituents in north Kildare who suffer from asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, who want to know what stage the clean air strategy is at that was promised in the programme for Government. We in Ireland have one of the highest rates of lung disease in the world. The Irish Thoracic Society warns of an unprecedented crisis in lung health due to insufficient specialists and respiratory consultants. This problem is now going to be exacerbated by Covid and long Covid.
This week it was reported that air pollution is responsible for one in five deaths globally and one in ten in Europe. The Tánaiste is a doctor and he should get this; we need a strategy to be implemented as soon as possible. Could he tell me what stage it is at currently?
Comment on this
Hopefully, air pollution has reduced as a consequence of Covid and the lockdown given the significant decrease in transport-related emissions. I do not have a date for the clean air strategy. I do not know the date for its publication, but I will check it and make sure the Deputy's office is informed.