Vol. 427 No. 7
85 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment if he will give details of the regulations which cover the bagging and selling of coal in the Dublin region; if these regulations include any price provisions to prevent customers having to pay more; and whether solid fuel can still be sold loose which traditionally was the cheapest way for consumers to purchase fuel.
(Wexford): The Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) Regulations, 1992 prohibit the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal within the restricted area of Dublin and require that solid fuels in that area are sold or distributed only in sealed and labelled bags. This latter requirement is designed to facilitate enforcement of the coal ban.
Pricing aspects are matters for the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. A special smokeless fuel allowance is payable by the Department of Social Welfare to low-income households within the restricted area to minimise costs arising from the need to use smokeless or low-smoke fuels.
