Department considers extending ban on coal beyond existing areas

The Department of the Environment is considering a ban on the burning of smoky coal.

At present there is a ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of the coal in some areas. The department is also considering extending this prohibition to urban areas which fall outside the current defined boundaries.

Details are contained in documents outlining a review of the existing system published by Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan yesterday.

The ban on the marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal was introduced in Dublin in 1990 to deal with winter smog and applies to 20 cities and towns. A study estimated that the Dublin restriction resulted in some 350 fewer deaths each year.

Extension of the embargo to newer areas of towns and cities, which are beyond the boundaries set in the legislation, are among the changes being considered.

The Environmental Protection Agency found elevated particulate levels in Wexford town, possibly because the prohibited area (defined in 1998) is too small for the town.

The ban could also be extended to Letterkenny, Newbridge, Mullingar and Cavan town.

Public consultation on the document is open until May 17th.