A campaign to eradicate smog in Dublin has the support of Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton.
For at least a decade Dubliners have been affected by the city's smog problem. The smog is caused primarily by the burning of bituminous coal in the fireplaces of approximately 130,000 households across Dublin.
From 1 September 1990, a government ban on such coal comes into effect. It will be illegal to market, sell or distribute smoky coal in restricted areas of Dublin. The zone in question stretches from the south of Swords to the north Wicklow border, encompassing parts of Dublin County Council and Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Corporations.
To ensure the new regulations are adhered to, fifty environmental health officers will be deployed with powers to inspect retailers and fuel merchants to ensure that they are compliant. Those who are not will be liable to prosecution and fines of up to £10,000.
Environmental Protection Minister Mary Harney who launched the anti-smog campaign today emphasised that people will still be able to heat their homes in the same way. The only change will be the type of fuel they use,
I'm not asking people to give up the open fire, on the contrary, I'm simply asking them to switch to one of the alternatives.
Republic of Ireland team manager Jack Charlton who is leading the publicity drive reminds people of the benefits of switching to smokeless fuels and is confident that Dubliners will buy into it,
They've been proud of their team over the last few years, I hope they're as proud of their city over the next few years.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 August 1990. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
