Vol. 411 No. 5
67 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for the Environment if the review of the operation of all aspects of the operation of the Dublin coal ban, which was indicated in Dáil Éireann on 10 July was underway, has yet been completed; if he will outline the form this review took; the findings made; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The review in question was undertaken as an internal one by my Department. Its preparation involved consultation with the other Departments concerned — Industry and Commerce, Social Welfare and Energy — as well as with the Dublin local authorities, EOLAS and fuel trade interests.
The review found that the ban on coal had generally been a major success and had brought Dublin's air quality into compliance with national and EC standards relating to smoke. Some improved arrangements for implementing the ban were identified and have been put into effect. These include arrangements for the speedier preparation of prosecutions and action in regard to safety of fuels. Other possible responses were identified with the recommendation that they be held in reserve pending further experience of the coal ban.
I will of course keep the operation of the ban under continuing assessment this winter.
