Donal Hickey: When smoke gets in your eyes... and lungs

It is projected that an estimated €100 million worth of coal products will be imported from Northern Ireland into Ireland this year alone. Despite being banned in Ireland, smoky coal continues to be brought down from Northern Ireland in substantial quantities

Despite being banned in Ireland, smoky coal continues to be brought down from Northern Ireland in substantial quantities representing a loss of millions to the Exchequer

So many people reckon there's nothing more comforting than sitting by a blazing open fire on a cold winter evening. Smoke now billowing from chimneys countrywide tells the story.

We seem to love the fire more than some of our European neighbours. Our use of solid fuels, such as coal and turf, for heating is high by western European standards. According to the 2022 census, 9% of householders here use such fuels compared to just 2% in Britain.