John Lahart
Question:59. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if new solid fuel regulations are due to be introduced on 31 October 2022. [53747/22]
View answerWednesday, 26 October 2022
Questions (59)
Written answers
I have signed new solid fuel regulations, as previously agreed by Government, which will come into operation on 31 October. The Air Pollution Act 1987 (Solid Fuels) Regulations 2022 (S.I. No. 529 of 2022) will introduce minimum quality standards that will apply to all solid fuels distributed throughout the State. This will ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and will assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. These regulations are necessary as each year some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland from illnesses which are caused or exacerbated by air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is further 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-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I am committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge, and the introduction of the new regulations will play a key role in this regard.