Enforcement of the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations, commonly known as the "Smoky Coal Ban” Regulations, is principally a matter for Local Authorities. Local Authorities report information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each year regarding inspection and enforcement activities under environmental legislation. The following table, provided by the EPA, outlines the level of enforcement notices and prosecutions as reported to the Agency by Local Authorities for the years 2015 to 2018 under the "Smoky Coal Ban” Regulations.
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2015
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2016
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2017
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2018
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Enforcement actions under Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)
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78
|
50
|
97
|
7
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Fixed Payment Notices (FPNs) under Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)
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0
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11
|
5
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8
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Prosecutions initiated under the Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)
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2
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2
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0
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1
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Prosecutions initiated for failure to pay FPNs.
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Not available
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0
|
3
|
6
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I am advised by the Agency that corresponding data for 2019 is still being collated and checked.