Local authorities have to “up their game” in enforcing the new smoky fuel ban, The Environment Minister has warned.
Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, Eamon Ryan said a new EPA report showing high numbers of air pollution breaches in towns around the country is “a real issue”.
The report from the country’s Ambient Air Monitoring Stations found that Ennis in County Clare experienced 31 air quality breaches last year, while Tralee in county Kerry saw 14.
Edenderry, Longford and Macroom also saw relatively high numbers of breaches – with a total of 39 recorded across various Dublin stations.
“They have to up their game.”
Eamon Ryan says the new #smokyfuel ban will see air quality improve – but only if local authorities “start now being really rigorous in enforcing the law”. pic.twitter.com/lv1ucPHpyL
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) February 14, 2023
Minister Ryan said the new legislation would ensure a better report next year.
“We always recognised it would take some months; It would take probably one winter season to use up old stocks and make sure the law is really enforced tightly so no-one is in breach of it,” he said.
“We will see improvements next winter. Those sorts of figures we don’t expect to see again because the laws has been tightened.
“It now has to be enforced by local authorities.”
'Up their game'
Asked whether authorities were doing enough to enforce the new rules, he said: “I think they have to up their game.”
“I think those figures and that reality for the people of Ennis and for the people of Tralee means Clare and Kerry County Councils have to start now being really rigorous in enforcing the law,” he said.
A split-screen view of Ennis and an Irish chimney.Minister Ryan said the EPA report highlights a “real issue” in many towns.
“It is small particulates and it is coming from the burning of fuels. A lot of those will start to be weaned off.
“Old stocks, some people burning turf and old stocks of bituminous coal – that is coming to an end.
“The new laws are in place where those smoky fuels are not permitted. The key now is for local authorities to enforce the law.
“We’ve been working with local authorities around the country saying they have a real responsibility to check with the merchants to make sure no-one is flouting the law, no-one is selling illegal materials and no-one is shipping stuff they shouldn’t be doing.
“We will see that air quality improve slowly but surely as we see that enforcement come in.”
Turf ban
The new Solid Fuel Regulations officially came into force on October 31st last year.
They ban the sale of turf, smoky coal, and wet wood in shops and online.
People with turbary (turf-cutting) rights are still be able to cut turf for their own use or to gift it to others. They can sell it provided they don’t do so in a shop or online.
With reporting from Aoife Kearns at Government Buildings.
