Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 344: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will legislate to make the 0.7% maximum sulphur content of coal mandatory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41197/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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When coal is burned, it produces a range of pollutants injurious to human health and the environment including sulphur dioxide which relates to the sulphur content of the fuel burned. This pollutant can cause deterioration in ambient air quality standards, particularly in cities and towns, and contributes to the acidification of ecosystems.

In order to improve air quality, the sulphur content of bituminous coal is currently limited to 0.7 % by a Voluntary Agreement with members of the Solid Fuel Trade Group (SFTG). This agreement has been in place since 2002 and has helped to protect air quality standards in areas where bituminous coal continues to be used.

My Department, in consultation with representatives of the SFTG and other stakeholders, is now giving consideration to further strengthening measures to improve ambient air and the protection of human health and environmental quality from the pollutants caused by the burning of solid fuel. In this context, the establishment of a statutory basis for the 0.7% maximum sulphur content standard is under consideration. This work is being carried out in the context of the forthcoming application of the carbon tax to solid fuel in the domestic sector.