Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
240. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment whether defined monitoring methodologies and emergency activation protocols for acute wildfire smoke exposure have been established; the criteria under which such protocols are activated; and whether these arrangements have been reviewed or revised since the August 2025 wildfire in Ticknick Park in view of Directive 2008/50/EC. [14371/26]
View answerAmbient air quality in Ireland is recognised as among the best in Europe. While there is no safe level of air pollution, there are policies and legislation in place to ensure that we continue to strive to minimise the impact of air pollution on our citizens and on the environment.
Emergency management policy, including with regard to fires, does not fall under my direct remit as Minister, however details of the State framework for the approach to emergency management can be found[] here:
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/emergency-management/#framework-for-major-emergency-management
Directive 2008/50/EC sets out the air quality standards that apply in Ireland and the other Member States for a wide variety of pollutants. The Directive includes provisions on how we should monitor, assess and manage ambient air quality. The competent authority for the monitoring and assessment of ambient air quality in accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA works closely with local authorities to site, install, operate and maintain monitoring stations at locations around the country. Siting of the stations is managed by the EPA in alignment with the criteria set out under EU law. The public must be informed if the thresholds for sulphur dioxide or nitrogen dioxide are exceeded as set out in the Directive.
Health data is also provided to the public in the form of the Air Quality Index for Health (AQIH), which translates both monitored and modelled air quality to health advice and is available at airquality.ie. Under the Air Pollution Act, 1987, where it appears to a local authority that urgent measures are necessary to prevent or to limit air pollution affecting any part of their functional area or any adjoining area, the local authority may take such steps, carry out such operations or give such assistance as they consider necessary to prevent or to limit such pollution or to remedy the effects of any such pollution. Local authorities are independent in the exercise of their statutory functions under the Air Pollution Act, 1987.
