Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the fact that coal and peat are some of the very few affordable ways of heating homes in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13745/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNew regulations on the use of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland, which will take effect from September next, do not prohibit the use of solid fuels. They instead introduce minimum standards that will apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. I am acutely aware of recent increases in energy costs due to increases internationally and, more recently, due to the crisis in Ukraine. The purpose of the new solid fuel regulations is to ensure that better quality, more efficient fuels will be available on the market. Low smoke ovoids are more cost-efficient than peat and wood logs, in terms of heat delivered per cent cost. Wood with a moisture content below 25% is more cost efficient to burn than wet wood. Both wet wood and sod peat produce very poor heat output, so may be cheaper to buy but require larger quantities to provide adequate heat for the householder, while emitting particulate matter more damaging to human health and the environment.
These new measures are required to improve air quality and protect public health. Each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I remain committed to addressing this critical public health and environmental challenge and introducing these regulations will serve to improve the quality of the air that we breathe, and the health of the public that we serve.
