Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of ban on smoky fuel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19981/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I remain committed to introducing new regulations on the use of solid fuels for domestic heating in Ireland this Autumn, as announced last September, and reflecting the ongoing consultation as to their final content. They will introduce minimum standards that will apply across all solid fuels, to ensure that the most polluting can no longer be made available on the Irish market and to assist the public in transitioning to less polluting alternatives. The new regulations are necessary as each year, some 1,300 people die prematurely in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. It is estimated that there are over 16,200 life years lost, while many people also experience a poor quality of life due to the associated short-term and long-term health impacts of this form of pollution. I am acutely aware of recent increases in energy costs due to increases internationally and, more recently, due to the crisis in the Ukraine. However, the Domestic Fuel Cost Comparison reports, published quarterly by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, consistently show that low smoke ovoids are more cost-efficient than other types of coal, peat and wood logs, in terms of heat delivered per unit cost.

I made the announcement one year ahead of the introduction of new regulations to provide industry and retailers with sufficient notice to run down existing stocks, and to make appropriate arrangements regarding supplies for the 2022/23 heating season. My Department are in ongoing communication with industry representatives and retailer groups, to ensure they are prepared for the introduction of the new regulations.