Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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21. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions his Department are taking to protect fuel merchants from those who are trading in smoky fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50275/23]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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While Local Authorities are responsible for the enforcement of the solid fuel regulations and ensuring that only approved fuels are available on the Irish market, I continue to engage extensively with the sector to support their enforcement efforts.

My Department is working with the Local Government Management Agency to develop an enhanced enforcement structure to support the provision of improved co-ordination, expertise and advice to underpin consistent implementation of all air quality legislation across the country. I have made funding of €3 million available to support this initiative.

Officials from my Department have also been engaging directly with enforcement personnel on the ground, developing guidance and training, holding workshops, providing funding, and supporting the sharing of best practice in relation to a range of air quality legislative obligations that are under the remit of the Local Authorities. I have provided grant funding of over €500,000 this year to support enforcement efforts on the ground, including a solid fuels sampling programme and an online sales pilot project.

My Department has also engaged extensively with the solid fuel industry, and with retailers, and retailer representative bodies, and is aware of their concerns, including the supply of non-approved and non-tax compliant fuel from outside this jurisdiction.

Tax evasion, with respect to both Carbon Tax and VAT can distort the market and any concerns or information regarding this matter should be reported directly to Revenue. Details on how to report such activity can be found at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/assist-us/reporting-shadow-economy-activity/index.aspx