Author: office

10^th July 2012

Smoky Coal Ban will improve Air Quality in Wicklow – Doyle

I welcomed Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan’s announcement that the smoky coal ban is to be extended to two Wicklow towns from 2013.

The ban is to be extended to Greystones and Wicklow town from the 1^st of May 2013. A ban on the burning of the fuel is also being introduced, in addition the existing ban on marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal.

Towns around the country have been included because they have a population of 15,000 or more this includes Greystones. Wicklow Town has been included at the request of the Wicklow County Council and local representatives because of a build-up of smog in the town during the winter months.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal was introduced in Dublin in 1990 to deal with winter smog and applies to 20 cities and towns. A study estimated that the Dublin restriction resulted in some 350 fewer deaths each year.

This study illustrates the effectiveness of this ban in improving air quality that has immediate benefits for the public by the cleansing of the air and thus improving the publics overall health. The local environment in Co. Wicklow will also benefit greatly from this ban.

I believe this ban provides a win win situation for Co. Wicklow- it ensures the future air quality, protects the local environment and reduces health risks from burning smoky coal for local people.

6^th July 2012

Safety on our Roads a Priority for All

Road Safety Strategy- Consultation Process Underway – Public given opportunity to have their say

Deputy Andrew Doyle has urged members of the public to take the opportunity to submit their views on the shaping of road safety policy and on what should be included as part of the 4^th Government Road Safety Strategy which is currently being coordinated and drafted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The new strategy will cover the period 2013-2020 and will replace the current strategy which will expire at the end of this year. As part of the consultation process, the RSA is inviting members of the public to play an important role by making submissions online or by post.

The RSA have identified Education measures, Engineering measures, Enforcement measures & Evaluation measures as 4 key areas for people to consider as they have the most impact on road safety.

The RSA is also consulting with Government departments and other agencies, organisations and stakeholders with a road safety function, to get their views on key road safety targets and how these can be implemented most effectively; by working in a coordinated way.

“Operation Slowdown is a 24hr road safety initiative in place today by An Garda Siochana together with the RSA, with the aim of increasing every road user’s awareness of the dangers of excessive speed as we enter into what has tended to be two of the most treacherous months of July & August. June of this year has been particularly bad with 25 road deaths, the highest in almost 2 years.

“The Strategy in place for 2007-2012 has been successful in reducing road deaths year on year and the objective of the new Strategy will be to ensure that Ireland continues to improve on road safety performance.

“When it comes to road safety, the issue of personal responsibility is the key starting point.  So many of the tragedies on our roads are preventable and unnecessary and so I would urge all who wish to contribute to get their proposals in. Submissions to be in by Friday 27^th July to be sent to; strategy@rsa.ie or posted to; Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020, Road Safety Authority, Moy Valley, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co. Mayo.