Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 April 2022
150. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the agency that has the responsibility for the ban on burning smoky fuel in designated towns; the number of any complaints received in relation to the burning of smoky fuels in each town, in tabular form; the number of successful prosecutions taken as a consequence of any complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21538/22]
View answerEnforcement action against breaches of the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations 2012 as amended is a matter for Local Authorities. My Department does not compile statistics in relation to the number of complaints received, prosecutions taken or fines imposed. Local Authorities report information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) annually regarding enforcement activities under environmental legislation. Details of Local Authority enforcement of environmental legislation are available from the series of Local Authority Environmental Performance Assessment reports compiled by the EPA. These reports can be accessed at: www.epa.ie/our-services/compliance--enforcement/support-and-supervision-of-local-councils/la-performance/. It should be noted that discussions with the Local Authority sector have commenced with the intention of establishing dedicated resources within the appropriate structures to provide co-ordination, expertise and advice to support consistent implementation of air quality legislation across the country. I have secured funding of €1.2 million for 2022 to enhance enforcement expertise, including through the provision of additional supports for the most effective model of enforcement.
