Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if door-to-door coal distributors are regulated by permit; if not, his plans to introduce such regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28058/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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On 7 June 2011, I signed the Air Pollution Act, 1987 (Marketing, Sale and Distribution of Fuels) (Amendment) Regulations 2011. These Regulations require that all bituminous coal placed on the market for residential use must have a sulphur content of no more than 0.7%.

The Regulations also require all coal bagging operators and fuel suppliers to register with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). All persons or bodies whose sole or main business involves retailing bituminous coal (which includes door to door distributors) must register with the EPA. There is no charge for registration. The EPA will maintain registers to support intelligence led enforcement by local authorities. Persons required to register can contact the EPA at the address below:

Solid Fuel Suppliers Registration

Resource Use Unit

Environmental Protection Agency

Johnstown Castle Estate

P.O Box 3000

Wexford

Phone: 053 9160600 Email: FuelRegistration@epa.ie

Bagging operators and fuel suppliers must hold a record showing that all bituminous coal placed on the market for residential use has a sulphur content of no more than 0.7%. The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), at the request of my Department, has prepared an annual traceability audit system, known as SWiFT 7, that is considered to demonstrate compliance with the new Regulations. SWiFT 7 was prepared in consultation with key stakeholders, which included the EPA, local authorities, the Solid Fuel Trade Group and other industry representatives. Such a record is required to fulfil the EPA registration obligations set out above.

Under Section 10 of the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, local authority authorised persons may now issue fixed payment notices for breaches of the Regulations. Fuel suppliers who have still not registered with the EPA after 31 December 2011 will be liable for a fixed payment notice of €500 if found to be selling or placing bituminous coal on the market.