Smoky coal ban should be extended to all towns in Tipperary
Labour Party Leader and Health spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has said the Government can no longer continue to ignore the benefits of banning smoky coal in towns across Tipperary.
Deputy Kelly said:
“A commitment was made in 2015 to implement a nationwide ban on smoky coal in 2016, yet only towns with a population of 10,000 or more will now benefit from the smoky coal ban.
“Prolonging this ban will have implications on air quality in towns across Tipperary will have knock on effects on people’s health and quality of life.
“There has been a drastic deterioration in air quality across our towns in recent years, and the Government has given into legal threats from suppliers. We know the ban has been in place for years in our cities and larger towns without challenge.
“While I welcome the fact that smoky coal will now be banned in Clonmel from September, now is the time to act and bring a smoky coal ban in for towns like Nenagh, Thurles, Carrick-on-Suir, Cahir and Roscrea.
“When I first proposed banning smoky coal in 2015 it was with the caveat that the industry would have one year to prepare for the transition to smokeless coal and other cleaner resources, yet nearly four years later, the Government have made little effort to make this plan a reality, to the detriment of the health of many people in small and medium sized towns across the country.
“If the Government were serious about the “green agenda” then they would act on this issue.”