Sir, – I’ve always been somewhat sceptical about the Environmental Protection Agency’s air monitoring network, which almost invariably reports “good” air quality across the country and full compliance with EU limits, even in city centres, in contrast to almost all EU countries, and including Northern Ireland, where such limits are exceeded.
However, on a visit to Bray over the weekend, I noted the poor air quality from the acrid smoke that hung in the air from the smouldering gorse fire on Bray Head. I thought viewing the EPA air monitor online might cure my long-held scepticism.
Imagine my surprise to find the message “we are currently having some technical issues with the particulate matter instrument in Bray” and a statement that the air quality in Bray was “good”.
Well that’s all right then! – Yours, etc,
JOHN O’GRADY,
Dublin 20