The smoky coal ban is to be extended to all towns with populations of more than 10,000 people.
13 additional towns will come under the ban from September next year.
The towns are: Cavan Town, Cobh, Midleton and Mallow
Killarney, Longford Town, Castlebar, Ballina, Ashbourne
Laytown-Bettystown, Tullamore, Tramore and Enniscorthy— Richard Bruton (@RichardbrutonTD) December 17, 2019
The affected areas which will no longer be able to burn smoky coal are:
- Cobh, Middleton, and Mallow, Co. Cork
- Killarney in Co. Kerry,
- Longford Town, Co. Longford,
- Castlebar and Ballina, Co. Mayo,
- Ashbourne and Laytown Bettystown, Co. Meath,
- Tullamore, Co. Offaly,
- Tramore, Co. Waterford
- Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford.
Minister for Climate Action and the Environment Richard Bruton says the extension is being brought in to address immediate health concerns in these towns.
Local authorities will be tasked with enforcing the ban and may hand out fines to anyone found to be selling the prohibited fuels.
Minister Bruton has also confirmed a nationwide ban on smoky coal will not be going ahead, as it poses legal challenges, and may also expose people in rural areas who rely on burning logs and turf for heat.
