Smokey coal ban may leave many out in the cold

A Sligo/Leitrim TD is calling for support measures to be put in place for those that are using coal as primary source of heat in the event of a nationwide ban on smoky coal being introduced.

The Government wants to introduce the measure saying 1,300 people are dying prematurely every year from air pollution.

The public consultation will also look at the dangers of burning other fuels like wet wood.

Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny is supporting the moves to allow only smokeless coal to be burned.  However the Leitrim based TD says many people rely on coal for economic reasons, need to be offered alternatives by the government.

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