TWICE THE SIZE - DIT Update - Dublin Institute of Technology

3. By international standards the air quality in Ireland is very good. The relatively low
density of urban areas, prevailing winds, geographical position and island status all
contribute positively to this quality. Apart from the difficult challenge of meeting
the EU emission limits, the biggest threat to the goal of clean air is the emission of
particular pollutants from road traffic, industrial and waste facilities, power plants
and livestock slurries. There is also the local scale issue of environmental noise
which can negatively affect living and working conditions.
4. Although Ireland has an abundant supply of fresh water, there is a widespread
threat to water quality, and it is estimated that more than half of the surface water
and groundwater bodies in Ireland are at risk of failing to meet EU water quality
objectives. Bringing water resources up to standard, eliminating contamination of
drinking water supplies and implementing conservation measures are key priorities
for Ireland. The provision of urban wastewater treatment for all inland receiving
waters is also a challenge. Generally, there is a need to begin to plan more
radically for future water usage and wastewater treatment needs, and move beyond
a system of catch-up infrastructure.
5. Ireland has significantly fewer contaminated land problems than most European
countries, but a prime environmental goal is that the soil of Ireland will be
protected from contamination and loss and will support dependent plants and
animals. Further, that the natural biodiversity will be conserved for future
generations to enjoy.
6. Currently, natural resources are used inefficiently and create too much waste.
Another environmental goal, therefore, is the sustainable use of resources (water,
energy and materials). Waste must be prevented and minimised with the balance
safely collected, recycled or recovered, and final disposal completed in a way that
does not harm the environment. Waste management in Ireland, however, remains a
serious issue. It has exceptionally high municipal waste generation per capita and
per employee; a poor recovery rate for industrial waste, with over-dependence on
landfill solutions; exhorbitant waste management costs; inadequate waste
treatment capacity; and almost non-existant municipal involvement in monitoring
and managing waste collection.
7. As issues such as climate change and fossil fuel depletion take hold in the minds of
an increasingly aware Irish public, the consequent demand for sustainable
construction is leading more and more builders, developers, suppliers, professionals,
tradespeople, investors, owners and occupiers to educate themselves in sustainable
principles, technology, materials and techniques.
8. In terms of the National Development Plan, the six year time-frame is crucial and
contentious. Many of the trends threatening sustainable development in Ireland,
such as poor spatial planning and unbalanced regional development, result from past
choices in patterns of land use and infrastructure investment, which are difficult to
reverse in a short time-frame. The NDP, together with the National Spatial
Strategy, cannot in themselves deliver sustainable development, but they must set
out clear long-term objectives and identify the mechanisms of delivery. A more
formal longer-term strategic planning horizon really is required.
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