Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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566. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the timeframes with regard to the smoky coal ban he announced on 20 September 2015 and that will come into force nationwide ahead of the start of the 2017 heating season, as indicated by him at the recent announcement in Foynes by a company (details supplied) of its intention to commence construction of a low-smoke manufacturing fuel plant. [40393/15]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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575. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the timelines regarding the ban on smoke-emitting coal that he announced on 20 September 2015, that will enter into force ahead of the start of the 2017 heating season, as indicated by him at the recent announcement in Foynes in County Limerick at which a company (details supplied) announced its intention to commence construction of a low-smoke manufacturing fuel plant; if current powers available to him will allow for this timeframe; the legislative requirements to enact the ban; the status of notification to the European Commission in this regard, and of the public consultation announced by him on 28 September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40519/15]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 566 and 575 together.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous fuel (or ‘smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known) was first introduced in Dublin in 1990 in response to severe episodes of winter smog that resulted from the widespread use of smoky coal for residential heating. The ban proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in Dublin. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with EU standards, the ban also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the capital, with research indicating that the ban in Dublin has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths. The ban was subsequently extended to other large urban areas.

In August 2012, following a public consultation process, new solid fuel regulations were introduced with the aim of ensuring that the smoky coal ban remains fit for purpose in safeguarding air quality by limiting harmful emissions of air pollutants arising from the use of certain residential solid fuels. The ban now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide, including all towns with a population greater than 15,000 people, bringing the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones.

In the meantime, air quality monitoring by the EPA has shown that air quality can be poorer in towns where the smoky coal ban does not apply. As there is evidence that smaller smoky coal ban areas tend to be less effective, the further extension of the ban to smaller towns on an individual basis may not be the most effective solution to addressing the problem of emissions from residential solid fuel use in these areas. In addition, having different regulations between urban and rural locations is not ideal as it can result in different levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.

I have therefore commenced a process that aims to extend the benefits of the smoky coal ban nationwide. This process necessarily involves discussion and consultation with a wide number of stakeholders, including with the European Commission, relevant Departments and agencies of Government, the residential fuel industry as well as the general public. Preliminary discussions on issues that may arise in connection with the proposed ban have already taken place with many of these stakeholders, including with the Commission. I will be launching a public consultation on Ireland’s first ever national Clean Air Strategy early in 2016, and I expect that the precise legal mechanism for bringing in a national ban will be informed by this process.

Taking account of these consultations and the anticipated completion of the North South Study on residential solid fuel use, it is my intention that a nationwide smoky coal ban will be in place for the heating season 2017/2018. This is an ambitious target but I am confident that it is achievable.