272 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions which would result from the proposed ban in the importation and sale of bituminous coal; the measure he intends taking in relation to emissions in power generation, which contributes in greater measures to sulphur dioxide pollution. [3297/02]

With regard to the reduction in sulphur dioxide, SO2, emissions resulting from a potential ban on bituminous coal and petcoke, I refer to the reply to Question No. 706 of 30 January 2002.

With regard to emissions from power generation, a number of measures have been, or will be, introduced to reduce SO2 emissions from this sector. These include the extension of the EPA's integrated pollution control licensing system – completed in January 2002 – to existing electricity generating stations; the mandatory reduction of sulphur in heavy fuel oil, including that used in power generation, to 1% from 1 January 2003 under the Air Pollution Act 1987 (Sulphur Content of Heavy Fuel Oil) Regulations, 2001. HFO in the range 1% to 3% sulphur is in use in power generation currently pursuant to a voluntary agreement with the ESB to limit total sulphur emissions to 82,000 tonnes by 2000.