An Irish fuel merchants group is calling for a smoky fuel ban in Northern Ireland to stop black market trade to the South.
Their report estimates the government is losing up to €15m in taxes to illegal fuel from outside the jurisdiction and recommends the North South Ministerial Council push for a smoky coal ban across the island of Ireland to stop the illegal sale of solid fuels. "The fact a legal lacunae indirectly facilitates the sale of illegal fuel from Northern Ireland is far from satisfactory. Politicians and policy-makers need to make this priority if they are serious about making an impact on the environment while safeguarding legitimate fuel merchants.