Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development Martin Kenny TD has asked Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representatives to clarify their position on the current Air Pollution amendment Bill. 

His comments come as reports circulated about the latest draft of the government bill, which seeks to grant powers to local authorities and departmental officials to raid homes and vehicles of any person they believe to be purchasing smoky fuels. 

Speaking today, Teachta Kenny said:

“First and foremost, I want to assure people that in its current form, this is not a bill that Sinn Féin could support. 

“We of course understand that smoky fuels cannot and should not be sold.  Not only are they illegal, but they are exceptionally harmful to human health, and indeed the health of livestock.

“However, the idea that a departmental or local authority official could be given the power raid peoples homes or stop vehicles without a warrant because they ‘believe’ someone might have smoky coal is a step too far.

“Yet again, an overzealous Green Party bill is seeking to compromise the right to privacy of ordinary people, instead of having a targeted, focused approach on the seller of these harmful fuels. 

“The government have failed to make the use of sustainable energy and sustainable fuels a reality for the majority of people in rural Ireland.  They continue to target rural communities with their ‘sledgehammer to crack a walnut’ approach. 

“We need to see serious reforms of this bill, with a move to tracking down and prosecuting those selling these dangerous fuels.  This is especially true in border regions.    

“Every Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael representative needs to outline exactly where their parties stand on this harebrained scheme. 

“Rural people are the original custodians of the land, and we want to see improvements in access to sustainable fuels and renewable energy options.”