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Air Quality

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 October 2019

Tuesday, 1 October 2019

Ceisteanna (466, 470, 476, 478)

James Browne

Ceist:

466. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding the implementation of the smoky fuel ban here, particularly in County Wexford; when he plans to implement a nationwide ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39537/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

470. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the delivery of a legally robust smoky coal ban which will improve air quality and was promised in early April 2019. [39600/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

476. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of plans to introduce a nationwide ban on smoky coal; and the areas covered by such a ban. [39808/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Curran

Ceist:

478. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made to date on extending the smoky coal ban nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39864/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 466, 470, 476 and 478 together.

Transitioning away from fossil fuels and to more renewable, sustainable energy sources is at the heart of the Climate Action Plan.

Currently 40% of homes use coal and peat to heat their homes (many in combination with other fossil fuel heating systems). By 2030, we will upgrade a third of all homes to at least a B2 energy standard, installing approximately 400,000 heat pumps. Currently over 99% of our vehicle fleet is fuelled by fossil fuels. By 2030, nearly a million fully electric or hybrid vehicles (35%-40%) will be on our roads. These measures will significantly improve air quality by reducing emissions of harmful pollutants.

Extending the ban on the use of smoky coal would have a positive impact on air quality, particularly in built up areas.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and subsequently extended to our major cities.

Following a public consultation process, it was further extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels and has had the effect of significantly improving public health. Research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.

Regarding the proposed national extension of the smoky coal ban, a number of coal firms have indicated that they would challenge the proposal of two former Ministers to expand the smoky coal ban.

This is particularly disappointing, given the impact poor air quality can have on human health and the environment and the emphasis the government is putting on transitioning to a low carbon society.

The basis of their challenge is that a nationwide smoky coal ban cannot be introduced without a nationwide ban on the burning of peat, turf and wet wood because these products produce similar levels of pollution. The legal threat is not only to take down any new nationwide ban, but to remove the existing ban which is in currently in place in cities and many towns around the country.

The Attorney General has provided legal advice on this matter. I am working with the Attorney General to finalise a legally robust plan, which will improve air quality by reducing air pollution, without jeopardizing the existing ban.

I also intend to publish a Clean Air Strategy, which will set out a number of policies to improve air quality nationwide in the coming months.

My Department is also funding the Environmental Protection Agency’s roll-out of the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme (AAMP), which will greatly improve the data available on air pollution in Ireland, facilitating the design and targeting of appropriate policy measures to tackle it.

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