As other EU countries propose increased restrictions on toxic polluting diesel cars, Ireland is now a dumping ground for imports from the UK.

Other countries either have or intend to introduce restrictions on dirty diesels within their cities and urban centres as the Nitrous Oxides they emit are dangerously compromising air quality.

A Society of the Irish Motor Industry report[1] has shown that the number of new car registrations this year is expected to be 8.6% lower than 2017 at 120,000. Whereas the number of used car imports is projected to grow by 15% to reach 107,470.

75% of these imports are over 4 years old and thus the majority are older dirty diesels.

Ian Lumley, Advocacy Officer of An Taisce stated “This confirms the concern that a failure in Ireland to take action on restricting use of air quality polluting diesel vehicles in urban areas, is making Ireland a dumping ground for the dirty vehicles that other people don’t want.”

He continued: “This trend will continue and worsen unless fuel tax adjustment and other measures including controls in high pollution level areas are taken.”

Ends

For further information, contact:
Ian Lumley, An Taisce Advocacy Officer: +353 1 454 1786
Charles Stanley-Smith, Communications, An Taisce. Tel: +353 87 241 1995
email: [email protected]
An Taisce The National Trust for Ireland
www.antaisce.org

Notes

[1] http://www.simi.ie/News.html?NI=24124547

About An Taisce

An Taisce is a charity that works to preserve and protect Ireland's natural and built heritage. We are an independent charitable voice for the environment and for heritage issues. We are not a government body, semi-state or agency. Founded in 1948, we are one of Ireland’s oldest and largest environmental organisations.