Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 December 2020
33. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if his Department will be extending a ban on smoky coal to the entire country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42238/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to extend the Smoky Coal Ban to new towns and over the term of Government to move towards a full nationwide ban. I have already delivered on the first part of that commitment by creating 13 new Low Smoke Zones with effect from 1 September this year and the ban now applies in all towns with populations in excess of 10,000 people.
The next step in the process will be a public consultation to assess views on the development of legislation to regulate to a broader extent the use of solid fuels in the residential sector. This is being done with a view to a national transition to lower polluting fuels for residential heating and will:
- Assess the merits of a national approach to regulating sold fuel;
- Determine which solid fuels should be regulated;
- Consider how these fuels should be regulated;
- Set out an appropriate timeline for the implementation of any new regulations.
The consultation will be launched alongside Ireland's first Clean Air Strategy early next year and the responses received will inform the decisions to be made regarding the implementation and enforcement of a nationwide extension.
