28 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the progress of the consultation process on a possible national ban on bituminous coal and petcoke; when he expects that the process will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6974/02]

I met with representatives of the Solid Fuel Trade Group, SFTG, on 7 February 2002 to discuss the proposals set out in the consultation paper. I welcomed the trade's desire to engage in constructive dialogue and its willingness to identify measures to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of solid fuel. I expect shortly to have an industry proposal outlining feasible, workable and substantive measures to reduce smoke and sulphur dioxide emissions from the solid fuel industry. Upon receipt, this will be carefully examined.