Mayo opposition to 'heating police' smoky fuel regulations

A MAYO general election candidate has hit out at the draft Air Pollution Bill, asking are we going down the route of 'heating police' to see what people are burning in their homes.

Oireachtas members in Mayo are being asked to come out and state their position on the proposed legislation.

Councillor Patsy O'Brien told a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting this week that people are very worried with winter closing in.

There is concern about local authorities being given search-and-seize powers with respect to the sale and distribution of smoky fuels, including turf, as well as powers to stop and detain vehicles and, in some circumstances, raid private dwellings.

Councillor O'Brien received the backing of area councillors in his opposition to this and the MD is to see clarification from the minister about what is proposed.

He told the meeting one 88-year-old man had contacted him fearing if he's going to have inspectors calling about what he's burning.

If the regulations came in, Councillor O'Brien wondered how were people who depend on solid fuel going to survive. There would be 'upheaval', he warned.

“Are they going to stop tractors coming from the bog?” he asked. Were they going to have the 'heating police' to see what people are burning.

It was impinging on the rights of individuals and they don't know if they can have a fire next year or not and he appealed for common sense.