Ban on domestic burning of turf to be proposed

The Government is considering bans or limits on the domestic burning of turf, it has emerged.

A public consultation process on the issue as well as on the extension of the smoky coal ban is due to be announced in the coming days.

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Eamon Ryan confirmed recently that “regulatory controls” on the use of turf are under consideration.

It’s understood there are plans to continue existing turf-cutting rights and to exempt peat briquettes until the Derrinlough briquette factory in Offaly ceases operations in 2024.

Minister Ryan explained recently that the proposal will be considered as part of an evaluation of how to achieve greater reductions in air pollution levels.

In a written answer in the Dail to Westmeath Fianna Fail TD, Robert Troy earlier this month, the Minister said there would be a public consultation on issues, including on “informing the development of appropriate regulatory controls for other residential solid fuels.”

In response, Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen has today said that no such scheme should come into effect until a wide range of alternative and bespoke retrofit options are available and grant aided.

“It would be a travesty to agree to Minister Ryan’s proposals in absence of adequate provisions and alternatives in the area of retrofitting options, in the absence of adequate provisions in the meantime to those that source turf from commercial suppliers while also honouring the commitment to retention of Derrinlough briquette factory to 2024.”

In his written answer in the Dail earlier this month, Minister Ryan noted that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to “extend the Smoky Coal ban to new towns and over the term of government move towards a full nationwide ban”.

However, he added that the provision of additional data from the National Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Programme and Environmental Protection Agency funded research projects also indicates the extent to which other solid fuels, such as peat and wet wood, contribute to localised high levels of particulate matter and other pollutants during the heating season.

“It is, therefore, appropriate that we consider a new approach to the broader regulation of all solid fuels, expanding our ambition with the objective of achieving greater reductions in air pollution levels.

“The next step in this process will be a public consultation which will seek views in relation to the national application of the regulations currently applied to bituminous coal, as well as informing the development of appropriate regulatory controls for other residential solid fuels.”

“This will be an opportunity for all parties - consumers, retailers, producers and industry, to consider the issues, input to the process at the earliest stage, and to consider alternatives as appropriate.”

In response to a query from this newspaper, Offaly Fianna Fail TD Barry Cowen issued this statement ahead of the launch of the public consultation process.

“I'm aware from recent Dail questions that Minister Ryan is proposing to launch a period of public consultation in relation to extending existing bans on smoky coals.

I'm also aware that on foot of similar efforts on the part of the previous government that the coal industry highlighted similar implications for the burning of other solid fuels.

While I anticipate the Minister's publication will also raise questions in relation to the burning of peat, turf and timber, it may be that there will be certain exemptions for peat briquettes as it has been confirmed (peat briquette manufacture) will remain in operation until 2024.

It may be that there will be exemptions for households who have turbary rights, but I will be anxious to ensure that any such process or the conclusion of any such process would take into consideration those households dependent on solid fuel and depending on the local market for access to such solid fuels. I obviously hope too that any such process will deal with the issue of the importation of alternatives that are presently on the market here.

While I acknowledge and appreciate, as many people do, the decarbonisation programme as part of the response to climate change, the decarbonisation programme in Ireland, despite my best efforts, to date at least, appears to be outpacing Just Transition and the provision of alternatives.

That's notwithstanding at my insistence the provision of targeted funding to this county and region from the resource that is carbon tax revenue.

However, when you look at the national average in Ireland of properties using solid fuel, it is 13.6%, but the average in Offaly is 40%.

It is essential that as part of retrofit options to be assisted and grant aided by Government that there be a bespoke heat retrofit for homes dependent on solid fuel as primary heat resource. Such a scheme should grant aid a heat pump/or pellet stove for example for such dependent homes as an alternative to existing dependencies. This should be part of a tiered offering by the state assisting all the way towards full tricot of homes, all in accordance with SEAI guidelines and provisions. I note as part of existing state aid to local authorities under ongoing just transition programme, Offaly County Council has signed the first contracts for full retrofit. The initial contracts are in region of €25,000 per household.

The delays and difficulties associated with the existing Just Transition programme are one thing, but this proposal will be considered as an almost immediate ban with no scheme in place encouraging households to change or to assist them to change.

It is my contention therefore that no such ban that includes those fuels can come into effect until such bespoke and wide range of alternatives retrofit options are available with grant assistance available to those who need to avail of same.

It was already my contention that people will move with transition but only when they see a return from government. It is my firm commitment that rather than merely bemoaning these changes I will insist on continued funding to Offaly and region from carbon tax revenue. I also ensured that the EU included peat regions in midlands in funding responses under Coal regions in transition funding. We’ve seen funding towards rewetting projects on BnM bogs thus retaining many jobs otherwise lost. it would be a travesty to agree to Minister Ryan’s proposals in absence of adequate provisions and alternatives in the area of retrofitting options, in the absence of adequate provisions in the meantime to those that source turf from commercial suppliers while also honouring the commitment to retention of Derrinlough briquette factory to 2024.”