Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

The Minister has claimed my amendment would cause confusion, but he is not being clear. We all know that ordinary coal, including anthracite, can be substituted by someone selling bags off the back of a lorry to people who mistakenly believe it is smokeless fuel. If the Minister is proposing a change in this respect, that is fine, but he is not being clear on the question of whether this provision will exempt firewood and peat. If he obtains clarification and it does, I will happily withdraw the amendment.

The Minister mentioned that he might be able to make the necessary changes in subsequent regulations. If that is his legal advice, I am happy to accept it. However, we must not create a problem in the sale of domestic fuel in 23 or 24 counties, which is what this provision will do.

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