Robert Troy
Question:195. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the burning of peat briquettes will cease. [37173/21]
View answerTuesday, 13 July 2021
Questions (195)
Written answers
Earlier this year Bórd na Móna announced it had ceased harvesting of peat and that it expects production of peat briquettes to cease during 2024. Each year 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short- and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge through the introduction of enhanced regulation of all solid fuels.
The recent public consultation, which sought views on how we regulate all solid fuels that contribute to air pollution, was the first step in this process. My Department received more than 3,500 responses to the technical consultation, survey and questionnaire. A summary document outlining a cross-section of responses was published in May and can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/5de58-public-consultation-on-the-development-of-new-solid-fuel-regulations-for-ireland/.
It is my intention to publish an overview of the proposed new regulations in the near future.