Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 75, 574 and 575 together.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal - the smoky coal ban, as it is commonly known - was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 and subsequently extended to the major cities. Following a more recent public consultation process in 2012, it was extended and now applies to 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels, and has had the effect of significantly improving public health.  Research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.

An all-island research study commenced in 2014 into policy options to deal with the problem of airborne pollution from residential fuel combustion, in particular, smoky coal. The study, undertaken under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council, was finalised in December 2015 and subsequently presented to Ministers.  The report supports the extension of the ban areas in the Republic and smoke control areas in the North. While I would like to see a joint approach by authorities to the introduction of an all-island ban on smoky coal, it is, of course, also a matter for authorities in the North to consider.

Notwithstanding the timing of decisions in the North and the position taken there, I am committed to extending a ban nationwide in this jurisdiction. The process necessarily involves discussion and consultation with a wide number of stakeholders, including the European Commission, relevant Government Departments and agencies, the residential fuel industry and the general public.  Preliminary discussions on issues that may arise in connection with the proposed nationwide ban have already taken place with some of these stakeholders.

My Department is currently developing a national clean air strategy which will provide the strategic framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions, and consequential health impacts, by improving our air quality. The strategy will also address a wide range of other national policies that are relevant to air quality, such as transport, energy and agriculture. Residential home heating is a key source of air pollution, in particular heating generated from solid fuel and smoky coal. As such, there is a pre-existing commitment to extend the smoky coal ban nationwide by 2018. This issue will be addressed in the strategy and a consultation process on the strategy will commence shortly. I expect the strategy to be published by the end of this year and that it will, inter alia, confirm the timeline for a nationwide extension of the ban on smoky coal.

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