Brendan Smith
Ceist:11 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on concerns (details supplied) regarding the ban on bituminous coal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31152/01]
Ceisteanna–Questions. Priority Questions. - Sale of Bituminous Coal.
David Stanton
Ceist:46 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether it will be possible to implement his proposed ban on the sale of bituminous coal and petcoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31014/01]
Breeda Moynihan-Cronin
Ceist:49 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposed consultation process for a possible ban on bituminous coal and petcoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31115/01]
Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:51 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concern among those working in the solid fuel industry following his proposed ban on bituminous coal and petcoke; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/01]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:54 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the position regarding the proposed coal ban and, in particular, its impact on rural areas; his views on the adequacy of supply of smokeless fuels; and the impact of increased costs on those unable to afford same. [31093/01]
Deirdre Clune
Ceist:152 Ms Clune asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government his views on whether his proposed natural ban on bituminous coal and petcoke can be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31208/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 46, 49, 51, 54 and 152 together.
In accordance with the Government's commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium, I was pleased to extend the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal to five new urban areas in 1998 and to a further five urban areas in 2000. These are additional to the bans which have been operated in Dublin since 1990 and in Cork since 1995. All areas have since shown a considerable improvement in air quality to the benefit of both people and the environment, particularly so for the more vulnerable sections of the community such as the young, the elderly and those suffering from respiratory illnesses.
For these reasons, it is now right to consider whether the ban should apply nationally. Ireland also faces challenging targets to reduce national sulphur emissions, and I recognise that a national ban on bituminous coal alone would increase the use of petcoke, a fuel with a higher sulphur content. Accordingly, on 17 October last, I issued a consultation paper on a potential national ban on bituminous coal and petcoke.
The purpose of the consultation process is to hear the views of all interested parties, explore all the issues and avenues and make decisions based on informed debate. All responses received will be fully evaluated by Government before any decision on whether to proceed with a national ban is taken.
The initial closing date for receipt of responses to the consultation paper was 16 November 2001. However, in response to the strongly stated wish of the solid fuel industry to respond in a detailed and considered way, I have indicated that I am willing to facilitate the Solid Fuel Industry Association and extend the consultation period. The effect on the solid fuel industry is one of the obvious issues raised in my consultation paper and the views of the trade, as well as the wider public, are important in considering this aspect.
The availability of alternative products is among the issues specifically raised in my consultation paper. There is clearly a need to ensure that sufficient quantities of alternative products would be available in the event of bans on bituminous coal and petcoke. I am satisfied that a trade supplying alternative fuels would continue to support employment, and I look forward to hearing the views of industry in this regard.
I recognise that the continuing strength of the industry, and the availability of alternative fuels, are key issues in determining the impacts on rural areas. I do not intend to disadvantage rural areas in any extension of the ban.
As regards any increased costs of alternative solid fuels for people on low incomes, the consul tation paper proposes that payment of the supplementary fuel allowance would be extended by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs to all qualifying persons during the winter heating season.
The Government is pursuing sulphur emissions reductions across a range of sectors. Ireland must reduce overall national emissions of sulphur dioxide by 76% below 1990 levels by 2010 under the Gothenburg protocol. A new directive on national emissions ceilings has also been recently agreed between the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers. To help us achieve these targets, I have made regulations reducing the sulphur content of both petrol and diesel by between 30% and 70% and, for the first time, placed a mandatory cap on the sulphur content of heavy fuel oil used in industry and power generation.
The whole purpose of consultation is to explore all the issues and allow transparent, open and informed debate. The solid fuel industry has much relevant information to bring to Government in the interests of environmentally and economically sound debate, but must also share significant responsibility for improved environmental performance. I am confident that, working together, we can resolve the key concerns during the consultation process and in this regard I look forward to the industry's considered response to the proposal.
I am grateful to the Minister of State for his detailed response and I welcome the fact that he has extended the consultation period. The solid fuel trade group has put forward reasoned arguments on the difficulties that would arise if a ban were implemented. Will the Minister of State agree that the implementation of a ban on the sale and distribution of bituminous coal would bear heavily on households dependent on solid fuel? Will he agree also that a ban would cause particular problems for people living in remote rural areas and that it would impose a severe financial burden on the elderly in particular and people on low incomes?
The first ban was introduced in 1990 and was extended to Cork in 1995. Ten additional areas, five in 1998 and five in 2000, were included in the ban. In all these areas, the clear indication is that the reduction in smoke levels has been dramatic and the benefit to people with respiratory problems, the elderly and the young, has been significant.
There are two aspects to this issue, environmental and health, and we cannot ignore them. This is a general consultation process. The industry appears to think a decision has already been made in relation to a national ban. I assure the House that is not the case. There are genuine concerns in the industry that need to be addressed, but we can only do that through proper dialogue between the industry and the Department.
In relation to the impact on rural areas, I have addressed those concerns in the consultation paper. Everything is up for discussion and the industry has a role to play. No one can accuse us of being wrong in the past by extending those areas. We have received correspondence from individuals throughout the country requesting that bituminous coal be banned in their areas. The Government has a responsibility to respond. Like many other Members, I have received calls from frightened older people who have been told they would have no coal over Christmas into the early months of the new year. I assure industry and the individuals concerned that my officials are not responsible. The consultation process is for real. I want the people involved to talk to us so that we can work out a solution.
The Minister is probably aware we heard representatives of the solid fuel industry at the Committee on the Environment and Local Government yesterday. I welcome the Minister's comment that this is a consultation period. The industry representatives expressed a genuine willingness to work with him. They want a balanced approach and recognise that they bear some degree of responsibility for reducing sulphur levels. They have serious concerns, however, about providing alternative fuels for people who are completely dependent on solid fuel. I hope this worry emerges in the consultation period.
I have received correspondence from a person who runs a steam railway which is totally dependent on bituminous fuel. Will provision be made for him, given that there are no alternatives in his case?
We have been assured there are alternatives. When I have been long gone people will still be using coal on open fires. The issue is the type of solid fuel used. All aspects of the matter will be addressed. I am certain the alternative to Petcoke and bituminous coke which is found will be suitable for use in the area of concern to the Deputy.
I reiterate that there will be proper consultation and assure the community that the concerns and anxieties being created are unfounded. The Government will honour its responsibility. We cannot run away from the problem. We have been assured by people in the industry that there are suitable alternatives. It may take time in terms of getting the necessary volumes.
All these matters will up for discussion. Until now, I have not received a request for a meeting from the industry.
I am very impressed with the Minister of State's assurances that this will be a very extensive consultation process. I assume it will last at least until the general election. Could the Minister of State inform the House when the consultation process will be completed and a decision taken on the matter? Does he agree that only 5% of sulphur emissions here are generated by burning Petcoke products in domestic fires? Why then has he focused so much attention on reducing the level of emissions from such a small part of the problem rather than tackling the other 95%?
Before the Minister of State replies, we will take a brief supplementary.
I am very grateful that the Minister of State has reiterated his determination to have the widest possible consultation and welcome the fact that he is available to meet the solid fuel trade group. As Deputy Clune stated, working together, the Department, the Minster of State and the various interests can come to a proper arrangement.
We are not dealing with only one sector. We have banned leaded petrol from 1 January 2000 and reduced sulphur levels in petrol and diesel. In terms of infrastructure, the Jack Lynch Tunnel has removed all the heavy traffic from Cork city and new bypasses have been constructed to help the environment. All areas must play their part in achieving our targets by 2010. The success of measures we took in other areas has been shown.
I re-emphasise the health aspects of this. St. James's Hospital carried out a study over a 14 year period before and after the ban in Dublin. It found that following the ban, mortality rates fell by almost 15% among people with respiratory problems and by 3.8% among people with cardiovascular problems. We cannot ignore the issue, particularly when other parts of the country are seeking equality.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.