Mr. Niall Cody:

The enforcement agency in this area is the local authority. There is a big health issue as well, including around the environment and the impact of smoky fuel. The Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, produced an interesting report two weeks ago about the level of enforcement activity by local authorities. There is a range of enforcement. It comes down to individual interest, whether it is chief executives or others. We want to engage with each local authority. My colleagues will be aware that I share the Chair’s concerns. The assistant secretary who was involved in that area is retired now. He campaigned long and hard for the commencement order not to be made. This comes down to a price differential. The likelihood of change happening in Northern Ireland is limited and it is exacerbated now by the energy crisis and the fact that probably solid fuel tends to be the fuel of necessity for many people who are poor.