James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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1055. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a ban on the use of heavy fuel oil in the Irish Sea will be implemented; if so, when it will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24767/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Regulation of emissions from maritime fuels in shipping comes under both EU legislation and IMO (International Maritime Organisation - part of the United Nations) obligations. Ireland complies fully with both EU and IMO requirements.

In that context, I am not aware of any proposals or discussions at EU or IMO levels to ban the use of heavy fuels oil in the Irish Sea.

In the EU, the relevant legislation is Directive 2012/33/EU which amended Council Directive 1999/32/EC as regards the sulphur content of marine fuels.

These EU Directives align EU legislation with the related IMO obligations. They were given effect in Irish law by the European Union (Sulphur Content of Marine Fuels) Regulations 2015 (S.I. No. 361 of 2015).

The IMO obligations, which arise from the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, were given effect in Irish law by the Sea Pollution (Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 313 of 2010).

Arising from all of the above obligations, the sulphur content of any fuel oil used on board ships in Irish waters has, and will continue to be reduced over time as follows: (a) 4.50% by mass prior to 1 January 2012;

(b) 3.50% by mass on and after 1 January 2012; and

(c) 0.50% by mass on and after 1 January 2020.

However, notwithstanding the above, passenger ships operating in Irish waters, shall ensure that the sulphur content of marine fuel used on board such passenger ships does not exceed 1.50 per cent by mass until 31 December 2019, and 0.50 per cent by mass thereafter.