Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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404. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government his plans for legislation to regulate the business of chimney sweeps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6720/14]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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As the activities of chimney sweeps are not considered to be a source of environmental pollution, regulation of that profession does not come within the remit of my Department.

In general, chimneys that are well-maintained and cleaned at regular intervals are less likely to cause excessive emissions of black smoke. The Air Pollution Act 1987 requires that the occupier of any premises shall not cause or permit an emission in such a quantity, or in such a manner, as to be a nuisance. Where it appears to a local authority that it is necessary so to do in order to prevent or to limit air pollution, the local authority may serve a notice under the Act on the occupier of any premises from which there is a nuisance emission. This notice may specify the measures which appear to the local authority to be necessary to prevent or limit air pollution; this could potentially include a requirement for the occupier to arrange to have their chimney cleaned.