Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
78. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress being made on the development of a national clean air strategy; when he will publish this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42873/21]
View answerMy Department is currently working to finalise Ireland’s first National Clean Air Strategy.While it was originally my intention to launch the Strategy alongside a public consultation on a new solid fuel regulation for Ireland, recognising the urgency of taking action to address the health impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, I chose to progress the development of enhanced solid fuel regulations in advance. This decision has allowed submissions received during the consultation process to inform and contribute to the final strategy document.
Having considered the submissions made by the public, health experts, advocacy groups, academia and industry, a framework for legislation has now been developed. From 2022 the following new standards for solid fuels will be introduced:
- Coal, coal-based products, any manufactured solid fuel or peat products will be required to have a smoke emission rate of less than 10g/hour, reducing to 5g/hr by 2025.
- It is not proposed to make any changes to the smoke emission rate for biomass products (that contain coal), as this is already set at 5g/hr.
- The sulphur content permitted for all fuels will be reduced from 2% to 1% over time.
- Wood sold in single units under 2m³ will be required to have a moisture content of 25% or less, moving to 20% within 4 years, and wet wood sold over these volumes will be required to come with instructions for the purchaser on how to dry this wood.
These regulations will be finalised in the coming months and will be in place for the 2022 heating season. I have made the announcement now to allow those servicing the domestic solid fuel market to plan accordingly, and to continue to invest in less polluting alternatives.
This measure will be a central element of the Clean Air Strategy which will also identify and promote the integrated actions across Government required to reduce air pollution. I intend to open a public consultation on the Strategy in the near future.
