Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on concerns regarding the smoke pollution in Greystones, County Wicklow; his plans to tackle this problem in Greystones and across urban areas in County Wicklow; if he will extend the smokeless fuel zone to Greystones and County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35708/08]

Michael Kitt (Galway East, 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.

The question of extending the areas subject to smokeless fuels regulations has been, and continues to be, kept under review in consultation with local authorities and having regard to the need to ensure good air quality. Monitoring at permanent and mobile monitoring stations by the EPA and local authorities confirms that air quality in Ireland is good. The question of the need to extend the air quality monitoring network to cover additional urban areas due to population changes has been raised with the EPA in the context of an overall monitoring review which has been requested by my Department as part of the Programme for Government commitment on monitoring air quality. I expect the EPA will conclude this review by year end.

No issue in relation to smog in Greystones due to the burning of bituminous coal has been brought to the attention of my Department.