Leitrim councillor labels Draft Air Pollution Amendment Bill as ‘extreme’

Concerns were raised during a meeting of Ballinamore Municipal District regarding the Draft Air Pollution Amendment Bill 2024.

This law would empower local authorities to issue on-the-spot fines aimed at curbing the sale and distribution of fuels such as turf, coal, and timber.

The law would also require individuals storing and transporting fuel to be listed on a fuel register.

Cllr Brendan Barry requested that Ballinamore M.D. write to the Taoiseach and Tánaiste to voice their opposition on the draft bill, calling it ‘extreme.’

“There are fines of €500 and €1000 for not being on a fuel register. Every person who is going to produce, store, transport or sell fuel of any type of restriction will have to be on a fuel register,” Cllr Barry explained.

Cllr Barry noted that some individuals may purchase three bags of the same coal in Fermanagh for the price of two bags in the Republic, suggesting that the bill is intended to address this.

"I’ll burn my turf": The fight to save an enduring tradition in Leitrim

Turf cutting has long been a tradition in Ireland, deeply rooted in rural life, and remains a necessity for many households relying on it for heating.

“A big part of this seems to be about revenue because it’s the exact same bags of fuel, they’re smokeless, and there is a fee for being on this fuel register as well.”

Cllr Kenny and Cllr McGloin seconded the motion.

Cllr McGloin noted that because a general election is coming up, draft legislation may fall between the cracks.

“Clarification is needed on this,” said Cllr Kenny. “It’s poorer people in society that will be affected by things like this.”

On October 17, Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin asked Tánaiste Micheál Martin during a Dáil meeting if the proposed legislation gives powers to a local authority or any authority to go into people’s homes and seize turf that the homeowners are using to heat their homes.

In response, the Tánaiste told Deputy Harkin that “the legislation respects turbary rights and the rights of people, historically and traditionally, who have used turf from their own bogs to fuel their own homes.”

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