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A NATIONWIDE BAN on smoky coal has been delayed by the government amid threats of legal action from the coal industry.
Minister for Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton confirmed that the government was delaying the introduction of a ban on harmful, bituminous coal this week.
A ban on the sale of smoky coal was first introduced in Dublin in 1990. The ban was extended in 2012 and is now in effect in 26 urban areas nationwide. According to Bruton, it has “proved very effective in reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels and has had the effect of significantly improving public health”.
“Research indicates, for example, that the ban has resulted in over 350 fewer annual deaths in Dublin alone.”
After discussing the issue with the Attorney General, however, Bruton has now confirmed that his department is working to finalise “a legally robust plan which will improve air quality by reducing particulate matter in the air”.
“Pending the completion of this work I am aware of the need to provide clarity now to the public and to the trade to enable them adequately plan for purchases of stock for the 2019-20 heating season,” Bruton told Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae in reply to a Dáil question.
A full ban was due to come into effect from Autumn this year. “I can confirm therefore that the current ban on bituminous coal will not be extended nationwide for the 2019-20 heating season,” Bruton said.
The minister did not indicate when the ban is now likely to come into effect.
The nationwide smoky coal ban was first announced by Labour TD Alan Kelly in 2015, who was Environment Minister at the time.
In 2017, Bruton’s predecessor Denis Naughten said the ban on the sale and distribution of smoky coal would not be introduced immediately but that there’d be a 12 month period for the industry to “wash through” existing stock.
The Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly highlighted that air quality is significantly worse in smaller towns during the winter months because large quantities of solid fuel are being burned.
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Scary stuff to think we’re in 2019 and this stuff is probably rife!! Good job Italian Police
@Annette: Yeah had to stop reading, some sick ppl ou there!!!!
What did I just read?? What kind of person does something like that? Sometimes I really lose hope in humanity. The pain and anguish those children and parents must have suffered is unthinkable.
Jesus. Just when I thought it could not get worse..those poor children and god love their parents..well done to the ITALIAN POLICE..I wish the family’s well
Evil bustards. Hope all found guilty hey the severe punishment they deserve for running so many lives.
I read that in total disbelief, how the hell do these sick ba$tard$ sleep at night, they couldn’t have a shred of moral decency in their entire body’s, another case of just lock them up and throw away the key.
It’s happening in Ireland too but it is being brushed under the carpet
@Anna Kavanagh: source for that claim please
@Anna Kavanagh: without evidence, your claim has no credence.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Anna Kavanagh: OMG. Then will someone who knows PLEASE don’t be afraid to come forward.
@Bee Johnson: if @Anna gave you the source she would be jailed under the In Camera Rule.
Did you know that in Ireland that if you report the rape of a child to Gardai you could be jailed?
@Joe Burns: wha?
@Joe Burns: That’s utter nonsense, the in camera rule protects the identity of the child. It does not prevent anybody from reporting a crime. Social Workers have endless files of children that have been abused and raped and work closely with the Gardai to interview these children it a protected environment and I can assure you part of that process is not to arrest the person who reported the crime.
Jesus Christ! Thats like an episode of Law And Order SVU. You wouldnt think that something like that could be happening in a western country in 2019. If found guilty I hope they never see the outside of a cell again.
Disgusting
@Cathy Carroll: well one of yas did it
That is horrific. It is so sad the depths of depravity some people will stoop too for money
This world is over run with degenerate lowlifes, the future is bleak.
Sicko & poor child and well Done To Italian Police
Just the beginning by all accounts.
@Shane Dignam: yes, fake accounts notably yours.
No punishment would be great enough for these ‘people’.
Sick and evil people.
That is seriously messed up but I’m confused to the lengths they went to. surely there are plenty of children already in the care system that they could of “sold” if money was their primary goal?
@Bee Johnson: Our ‘Religious ‘ people done it.!! Sold our children to the highest bidder,.
@ÓDuibhír Abú: oh I get that but assuming they were doing this to sell off “healthy” children, but now they are selling damaged children anyway so what was the point. We pay foster families here and we still can’t find enough families
I can’t believe we’re seeing this kind of abuse from actual officials in any European country.
I know we were worse at one stage but that was when the church ran the show. This is Bananas
Tusla Social Workers are Coaching Children Telling them the have being Abused Tusla also are Inflating Falsifying Tusla Files of Abuse to take Children into Care …. Maurice McCabe is the Tip of the Ice Berg…..What Happened in Italy is also happening in Corrupt Ireland …..
@Mark Lamb:
Nothing new sadly, human trafficking the only true remnants of the Roman Empire. Really hope these guys, and their customers, see nothing but cells for the rest of their days. Well done Italian police/whistleblowers!
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