Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1355: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position in relation to smoke free status for Wicklow Town, County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1757/08]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal currently applies in 16 urban areas nationally. The selection of these areas took account of air quality monitoring data and population size. On the basis of these criteria, the ban currently applies to two towns in Co. Wicklow, Bray and Arklow.

In April 2006, the Department and the Solid Fuel Trade Group signed a new negotiated agreement on further reducing the sulphur content of bituminous coal and petcoke, and the maintenance of existing limitations on the marketing, sale and distribution of solid fuels in designated smokeless zones.

This agreement follows on from a previous agreement put in place in 2002 and runs until the end of the current fuel season in April 2008. Under the agreement, there is a temporary moratorium on the designation of further coal ban areas, except where required to ensure adherence to air quality standards. This has not been necessary.

A review of the 2006-2008 agreement will take place shortly with a view to putting in place a further agreement for the following 3-year period. The designation of any new towns will be considered in the course of the review and will have regard, inter alia, to local air quality standards and population.