Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he intends to extend the ban on bituminous coal to other areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4079/05]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The June 2002 voluntary agreement between my Department and the solid fuel trade group provided, inter alia, for the delivery of significantly cleaner standards for bituminous coal and petcoke on a phased basis. The agreement encompassed the extension of the coal ban to four new areas from October 2003 and an increase in market penetration of smokeless fuel in a further four areas. It was agreed that the Department would not seek to designate further coal ban areas during the life of the agreement, except where required to ensure adherence to air quality standards. The agreement also provided for an initial review by the end of 2003 and a final review by the end of 2004, with the ambition of setting further targets from 2005 onwards.

My Department reviewed the operation of the voluntary agreement in 2003. However, the final review due by the end of December 2004 was postponed following the granting of a moratorium on the step-down to 2004 sulphur levels in petcoke for the 2004-05 heating season. The moratorium was requested by the trade group and was granted to help the industry through a difficult interim supply period, triggered by exceptional levels of demand for petcoke tonnages internationally, which made the sourcing of lower sulphur fuels problematic for the industry.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

It is intended to undertake the final review when the 2004-05 heating season is concluded. At that stage, all parties will be in a better position to assess both the effect of the agreement over three heating seasons and the future market supply situation, and to explore further how to maximise environmental benefits from the solid fuel sector. I do not intend to extend the ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal before completion of the final review.