Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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I am raising this matter because I have been contacted by constituents who are concerned about the lack of a ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, smoky coal as it is generally called, in Wicklow town and the wider Greystones area. I am concerned about this issue as the health implications are significant for those inhaling this smog, as evidenced by the reduction in the number of deaths, estimated to be in the hundreds, when the ban was first introduced in the wider Dublin area in the early 1990s.

I was first contacted about this matter by a father of two young children who suffered from asthma. Their neighbours burn high bituminous coal and the prevailing wind blows the resulting smog straight in through their bedroom windows. The black carbon particulate matter can penetrate deep into the lungs of those who breathe it in. This is clearly not tenable for the family, nor is it tenable for the other elderly residents who have contacted me from Wicklow and Greystones and are concerned about their own health. It is clear that exposure, even below the mandatory levels, can have adverse effects on health, particularly of those prone to respiratory problems.

During the years many other towns and cities have been added to the list of areas in which a ban has been put in place. They include Arklow in 1998 and my home town, Bray, in 2003. The results of these additions have demonstrated a reduction in black smoke emissions in the range of 70% in cities to a minimum of 45% in towns. This is welcome. I would, therefore, certainly like to see an extension of the ban to Wicklow town and Greystones. Not only, as I said, would it have immediate health benefits but there would also be wider policy implications. As a country, we should be reducing our dependence on fossil fuels such as smoky coal that has a high carbon content and relatively inefficient combustion when compared to other fuel sources. In doing so, we could help to tackle climate change and improve energy efficiency. A recent UN report demonstrates that the replacement of coal with smokeless coal for cooking and residential heating offers the prospect of a large potential reduction in emissions. Further reports indicates that by 2020, small-scale residential heating systems will be the source of about half of all black carbon emissions and, therefore, the most dominant form.

I know the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government is undertaking a review of the situation, which is very welcome. Given the recent census results which demonstrated a large increase in the population of County Wicklow and that Wicklow town and Greystones were significant urban areas, it is incumbent on us to consider adding them to the list of places where only smokeless fuels may be used. I would not like to see another winter when the level of home heating is at its highest with increased smog levels. We must endeavour to do what we can to protect the health of the most vulnerable members of our communities. I, therefore, urge the Minister to take these points on board when coming to a decision on the results of the review.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel - the smoky coal ban - was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 owing to severe winter smog resulting from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban has proved effective in reducing smoke and sulphur dioxide levels, with research indicating it has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin since its introduction. The ban was subsequently extended to other areas and now applies in 20 cities and towns. Air quality monitoring by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, has shown that levels of particulate matter are lower in these areas than in towns where the ban does not apply. In its most recent state of the environment report the EPA has concluded the smoky coal ban has had a positive effect on limiting particulate matter emissions from home heating and recommended it should be extended to all urban areas.

A public consultation paper was recently prepared by my Department to inform and assist a review of the smoky coal ban regulations, taking account of the progress made to date, as well as the 2011 census, which evidenced changes in town populations. As well as reviewing the impact of the regulations to date, the consultation paper also identifies relevant considerations relating to their effective implementation in the context of the scientific and societal developments since their introduction. The consultation paper can be viewed on my Department's website, www.environ.ie.

Among the options explored in the consultation paper is the proposed alignment of the smoky coal restricted areas outside Dublin and Cork with EPA-designated air quality zones so as to provide for greater consistency in overall air quality management. The EPA has divided the country into four zones for the purpose of air quality monitoring and management, as follows: zone A is Dublin; zone B is Cork; zone C comprises other cities and towns with populations greater than 15,000 people; and zone D covers the remaining areas of the country. Based on the latest census data, the alignment of the smoky coal ban regulations with zone C would result in the ban being extended to the towns of Balbriggan, Greystones, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Navan, Newbridge and Portlaoise.

Under the current consultation process, my Department has received submissions supporting the extension of the smoky coal ban to the town of Greystones and its environs. At present, Wicklow town is not proposed for inclusion as part of the alignment with air quality zone C as its population is less than 15,000 people. Although it is open to Wicklow County Council to nominate any town within its functional area for inclusion in the ban, I understand my Department has not received any such request. It should be noted that the closing date for submissions is this coming Thursday, 17 May. Perhaps the Deputy will have the opportunity to ensure a submission is made before that date.

Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and I am delighted that Greystones has been included. As I mentioned, the population in Greystones, Delgany and other areas has grown. The Minister, unfortunately, noted that there has been no application from Wicklow County Council with regard to Wicklow town. That is a pity, and the closing date is on Thursday. I contacted the town clerk in Wicklow this morning to see if she had made a submission but she had not, so I will contact representatives of Wicklow County Council to see if we can get in a submission before Thursday. There is a growing population in Wicklow town, and the town is, unfortunately, quite smoggy. With regard to health and environmental aspects, I would like to see this ban extended to every town and city in the country.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I am glad Deputy Ferris is in contact with the local authority to remind it to put in a submission for Wicklow town. If it does not do so, perhaps the Deputy will make a submission herself.