Louth County Council meeting

Smokeless zone concerns

The introduction of a nationwide ban on burning ‘smoky’ coal this Autumn could be difficult to implement along the border, according to a Louth County Councillor who outlined concerns at the April monthly meeting.

CEO Joan Martin informed councillors in her monthly report that as and from Autumn 2018 Ireland will be the first country in Europe to introduce the nationwide ban.

These new regulations will cover the marketing, sale, distribution and burning of bituminous coal, also known as ‘smoky coal.’

‘Currently the ban on the burning of the smoky coal, and certain other fuels applies in all Low Smoke Zones (LSZ’s) and complements the ban on marketing, sale and distribution,’ said the CEO.

She explained that Dundalk and Drogheda have been designated as smokeless zones since 1998.

‘Both zones were expanded significantly in 2012 under the Air Pollution Act.’

The extension of the ban nationwide from this Autumn will have the effect of designating the entire state a Low Smoke Zone.

But Cllr. Mark Dearey raised concerns about the implementation of the ban along the border, with the availability of so called ‘smoky’ coal in the north.

‘ There is a particular problem in this area with the access to lower grade coal,’ said Cllr. Dearey.

He added the new ban will ‘not have the desired effect in this area unless we deal with the issues along the border.’

Cllr,. Dearey added concerns that people who were facing fuel poverty, and had access to the cheaper, lower grade coal available to buy across the border.