Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have, but I ask the Cathaoirleach to indulge me. I did not intend to speak on that motion.

I wished to raise the new major study on air pollution which is caused by people burning solid fuel. The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Phil Hogan, announced this study which is a North-South co-operative one. There are many studies being done at present on air pollution, smoky coal and everything that causes such pollution. Will the Leader organise a debate on this in the Seanad? There has been a ban on smoky coal in certain towns since 1990. The Minister, Deputy Hogan, has added seven more towns; I will not list them because everybody knows their identity. It has been shown that there are 350 fewer deaths per year as a result of the ban. I want the Seanad to debate the benefits of keeping people out of hospital and ensuring there is education on air pollution in general, not only that caused by smoky coal. There are many additives that cause air pollution.