Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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262. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied) regarding a ban on using smoky coal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23611/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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. 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 like Letterkenny with a population greater than 15,000 people, which brings the ban areas broadly into line with national EPA air quality management zones.

The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels. As well as bringing air quality levels into compliance with EU standards, the ban has also had the effect of significantly improving human health in the country. Research indicates that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.

Given the significant health impacts, it is not proposed to relax the ban in any areas where it applies. The stated policy objective is to extend the benefits of the smoky coal ban nationwide, to eliminate discrepancies in the levels of environmental protection and clean air benefits for citizens in different locations.

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 nationwide ban have already taken place with some of these stakeholders. It is proposed to launch a public consultation on the national Clean Air Strategy in the near future .