Dublin Labour, MEP Emer Costello, has said that stronger EU clean air directives would cut the number of deaths caused by air pollution in Ireland and across Europe.

Ms Costello was responding to the long-awaited proposals issued by the European Commission today to revise Europe’s air quality directives.

"Air pollution causes more than 400,000 premature deaths a year in Europe - more than 10 times the total number of road fatalities in Europe each year, while research published by An Taisce last April suggests that poor air quality contributes to over 3,400 premature deaths in Ireland each year.

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"Ireland's air quality is generally good compared to other European countries but the Irish Environmental Protection Agency has highlighted concerns about levels of 'particulate matter', or very small pieces of solids and liquids resulting from certain heating fuels as well as vehicle emissions.

"The European Environmental Bureau estimates that around 90 % of city dwellers in Europe are exposed to one of the most damaging air pollutants at levels deemed harmful to health by the WHO and a recent study published in The Lancet journal found that there is a higher risk of premature death even within existing EU air pollution limits.

"Air pollution is already known to increase the risk of heart and respiratory cancer but earlier this month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) officially classified air pollution as carcinogenic.

"We clearly do need to revise Europe’s air pollution directives. Today’s proposals are a step in the right direction but can and should be improved upon when they come before MEPs and Member States’ environment ministers, including Minister Phil Hogan."

(CD/MH)