Fine Gael TD for Clare, Joe Carey, has called for a nationwide ban on smoky coal.

Deputy Carey raised the issue of a nationwide ban with the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.

He said: "We have an unfortunate disparity in this country whereby smoky coal can be burnt in some areas of the country but not in others. The issue of smoky coal is one which has been raised with me by constituents and retailers alike. I have asked Minister Hogan if the ban could be extended nationally in an effort to improve air quality and have a positive impact on the environment.

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"Some retailers feel that certain areas of the country have an unfair advantage in being able to sell and use smoky coal, and that a fairer and more environmentally friendly policy would be to implement a total nationwide ban.

"Minister Hogan has outlined to me the measures the Government has taken to date in relation to smoky coal, and the close co-operation between authorities here and in Northern Ireland."“I was happy to learn from the Minister that smoky coal will be banned in seven new towns from May 2013: Greystones, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Navan, Newbridge, Portlaoise and Wicklow. Furthermore, the regulations also require that all bituminous coal for residential uses which is sold outside smoky coal ban areas must have a sulphur content of less than 0.7%.

"I welcome the fact that we are now working closely with our colleagues in Northern Ireland as smoky coal continues to be freely available there. As the Minister confirmed, there is scope for improved co-operation and policy alignment with authorities in Northern Ireland in relation to air quality generally. This is something I would encourage and hope that we can continue to expand upon."

(CD/GK)