A ban on the use of smoky coal nationwide is to be introduced by 2018, the Minister for the Environment has announced.

The introduction of such a ban in Dublin back in 1990 has saved around 8,000 lives.

Minister Alan Kelly made his announcement at a special conference which marked the 25th anniversary of the introduction of Dublin's smoky coal ban. This ban has since been extended to other towns around the country. As a result some towns have a much better air quality than others where a ban is not currently in place.

"It is right to extend the benefits of the ban on smoky coal nationwide. These benefits include very significant reductions in respiratory problems and indeed mortalities from the effects of burning smoky coal. In the region of 8,000 lives have been saved in Dublin since the introduction of the ban in 1990 and further health and economic benefits, estimated at €53 million per year, will be realised when the ban is extended nationwide," Miniser Kelly commented.

He said that he has now instructed his officials to ‘commence the process that will see the benefits of the smoky coal ban extended nationwide'.

"This process involves consultation with the EU, our colleagues across Government and of course residential fuel market operators. My aim is that the nationwide ban will take effect in the shortest possible timeframe following consultations," he noted.

He said he expected its introduction from the ‘heating' season of 2018.

The announcement was welcomed by the Asthma Society of Ireland, which described it as a ‘milestone'.

"The risk smoky coal poses to our health has now been recognised and tackled at source following years of campaigning. It is estimated that nearly 2,000 lives are lost on the island of Ireland each year from smoky coal pollution and today, the right to clean air has been acknowledged," commented Asthma Society CEO, Sharon Cosgrove.

She noted that Ireland currently has the fourth highest rate of asthma in the world, but this announcement will greatly benefit them and people with other respiratory illnesses.