Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
685. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update on the introduction of a ban on smoky coal; the parts of the country that are not covered by such a ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13435/14]
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) showed that the ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with the then EU standards, the ban had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital. Research indicated that the ban in Dublin resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other urban areas. On 31 August 2012, following a public consultation process, I gave effect to consolidating solid fuel regulations, S.I. No. 326 of 2012, that introduced a number of improved and updated provisions with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The updated provisions included the following -
- the boundaries of most existing smoky coal ban areas were reviewed to take account of urban development in the intervening years since the regulations were originally made;
- a complementary ban on the burning of smoky coal inside ban areas was introduced, to better support the established ban on its marketing, sale and distribution; and
- the ban was extended to sev en new towns with effect from May 2013, including Greystones and Wicklow .
The ban now applies in 27 cities and towns nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones. Maps of all smoky coal ban areas are available on my Department’s website –
www.environ.ie/en/Environment/Atmosphere/AirQuality/SmokyCoalBan/
Monitoring by the EPA has shown that air quality is poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply, although there is evidence that smaller smoky coal ban areas tend to be less effective. The further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. Similarly, the border with Northern Ireland would present enforcement challenges if a national ban on smoky coal were unilaterally introduced. However, it is recognised that having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal, as it results in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.
Under the auspices of the North South nisterial Council, and in conjunction with the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland, my Department has commissioned a study to inform a discussion on policy options to further address emissions from resid ential solid fuel use on an all- island basis. The study will include-
- an assessment of the solid fuel market and barriers to the use of cleaner fuels;
- consideration of the role and impacts of biomass (primarily wood and wood-based products) and the links to climate policy; and
- an economic analysis addressing the potential positive and negative effects on the consumer, for example, resulting from potential fuel switching, the availability of smokeless fuels to supply an all-island market and job creation opportunities in the manufacture and supply of smokeless fuels.
A final report is due in August 2014.
