Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 October 2012
171. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in view of the success of the smoky coal ban in areas where it has been introduced, if he will consider a complete ban on the importation of smoky coal as a means to improve air quality throughout the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46627/12]
View answerThe ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. Air quality monitoring carried out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin and the ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas.
In April 2012, my Department undertook a public consultation to inform and assist a review of the smoky coal ban regulations to ensure that they remain fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of residential fuels. A total of 49 submissions were received, including submissions from local authorities, health groups, the solid fuel industry and the general public.
On 31 August 2012, following the review of submissions received under the public consultation process, I gave effect to new consolidating solid fuel regulations , the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 (S.I. No. 326 of 2012). Under the new Regulations:
- most existing smoky coal ban area boundaries were revised to take recent urban development into account;
- seven new towns will be added to the ban from May 2013 - Greystones, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Navan, Newbridge, Portlaoise and Wicklow Town; and
- a prohibition on the burning of bituminous or smoky coal was provided for, to complement the established ban on its marketing, sale and distribution.
The Regulations also require that all bituminous coal sold outside smoky coal ban areas for residential use outside those areas must have a sulphur content of no more than 0.7%. This consolidates the environmental and related human health benefits achieved by an earlier voluntary agreement with the Solid Fuel Trade Group (SFTG), representing the majority of major coal importers.
Some submissions received under the public consultation did suggest a nationwide ban on smoky coal. While I can see merit in this suggestion, it would have market implications and as such would require advance consultation with and the consent of the European Commission under the terms of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
A nationwide ban would also be difficult to implement effectively while smoky coal continues to be freely available in Northern Ireland. However, there is scope for improved co-operation and policy alignment with authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to air quality generally. This is an issue I have raised with the Northern Ireland Minister for the Environment, Alex Atwood MLA, who has himself in the past called for people to burn only smokeless coal. Our two Departments are working together to further explore options for improved co-operation to mutually benefit air quality on an all-island basis.
