Written answers

Tuesday, 7 July 2020

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Bituminous Fuel Ban

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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65. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of prosecutions for breaching the smoky coal ban in each of the past five years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14213/20]

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Enforcement of the Air Pollution Act (Marketing, Sale, Distribution and Burning of Specified Fuels) Regulations, commonly known as the "Smoky Coal Ban” Regulations, is principally a matter for Local Authorities.Local Authorities report information to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) each year regarding inspection and enforcement activities under environmental legislation.  The following table, provided by the EPA,  outlines the level of enforcement notices and prosecutions as reported to the Agency by Local Authorities for the years 2015 to 2018 under the "Smoky Coal Ban” Regulations.

2015 2016 2017 2018
Enforcement actions under Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)  78 50 97 7
Fixed Payment Notices (FPNs) under Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)  0 11 5 8
Prosecutions initiated under the Solid Fuel regulations (S.I. 326 of 2012)  2 2 0 1
Prosecutions initiated for failure to pay FPNs. Not available 0 3 6

I am advised by the Agency that corresponding data for 2019 is still being collated and checked.

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