Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1295. To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources his plans to ban or limit the use of bituminous fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20478/17]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal, or ‘the smoky coal ban’ as it is commonly known, was first introduced in Dublin in 1990, and subsequently extended to our major cities. Following a public consultation process, it was further extended in 2012, and now applies in 26 urban areas nationwide. The ban has proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels and has had the effect of significantly improving public health. Research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.

An ‘all-island’ research study commenced in February 2014 into policy options to deal with the problem of airborne pollution from residential fuel combustion, in particular, smoky coal. The study, undertaken under the auspices of the North-South Ministerial Council, was finalised in December 2015, and subsequently presented to Ministers.  The report supports the extension of the ban areas in Ireland and smoke control areas in Northern Ireland. While I would like to see a joint approach by authorities to the introduction of an all island ban on smoky coal, it is of course also a matter for authorities in Northern Ireland to consider in relation to that jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding the timing of decisions in the North and the position taken there, I am committed to extending the ban nationwide in this jurisdiction. 

This process necessarily involves discussion and consultation with a wide number of stakeholders, including with the European Commission, relevant Government Departments and Agencies, the residential fuel industry, and the general public.  Discussions  with many of these stakeholders on issues that may arise in connection with the proposed nationwide ban are underway.

My Department is currently developing a national Clean Air Strategy which will provide the strategic framework for a set of cross-Government policies and actions to reduce harmful emissions, and consequential health impacts, by improving our air quality. A public consultation process on the strategy concluded last week. The strategy will also address a wide range of other national policies that are relevant to air quality such as transport, energy and agriculture. Residential home heating is a key source of air pollution, in particular from solid fuel and smoky coal, and as such there is a pre-existing commitment to extend the smoky coal ban nationwide by 2018.  I expect that the strategy will be published by the end of 2017 and that I will to be to be in a position to implement the national ban in time for the heating season of 2018, that is the third quarter of that year.