With regard to the reduction in sulphur dioxide, SO2, emissions resulting from a potential ban on bituminous coal and petcoke, I refer to the reply to Question No. 706 of 30 January 2002.
With regard to emissions from power generation, a number of measures have been, or will be, introduced to reduce SO2 emissions from this sector. These include the extension of the EPA's integrated pollution control licensing system – completed in January 2002 – to existing electricity generating stations; the mandatory reduction of sulphur in heavy fuel oil, including that used in power generation, to 1% from 1 January 2003 under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Sulphur Content of Heavy Fuel Oil) Regulations, 2001. HFO in the range 1% to 3% sulphur is in use in power generation currently pursuant to a voluntary agreement with the ESB to limit total sulphur emissions to 82,000 tonnes by 2000.