'Government is trying to frighten people on alleged dangers of solid fuels'

A Donegal Aontú representative has criticised the Government’s backing of a social media campaign which alleges there are “grave dangers of burning solid fuel like coal, sticks and turf.”

Mary T Sweeney says she was horrified to see a government backed social media campaign warning people not to light open fires.

“Just when I thought the government couldn’t come out with any more ludicrous salvos it puts its weight behind this campaign,” she said. “I was stunned when I saw it. It claims that lighting an open fire or stove causes harmful emissions that linger in the air, harming your health and the health of your family, neighbours and community. It goes on to allege that burning solid fuels in an open fire or stove harms everyone’s health, but children, older people, pregnant women, and those with underlying conditions are most at risk. It goes on to state that if people don’t need to light an open fire or stove to heat their homes it’s best to leave it unlit.

“I find it abhorrent to be honest to see this level of fearmongering being directed at ordinary people in Donegal. The people who use solid fuel to heat their homes have done so all their lives and need to do so without being frightened unnecessarily by their own Government. We saw during Storm Eowyn for instance that those who had open fires and stoves and used solid fuel were able to stay warm and cook, while others sadly were frozen with the cold and had no means to heat their homes and they had to spend a fortune eating out. We now have Storm Bram sweeping through the county so what are people to do if their electricity goes?

“The choice created by this advert is - sit in the cold and freeze or feel guilty for trying to stay warm and cosy by lighting a fire to keep warm and keep healthy, thereby inadvertently, but slowly killing your neighbours and friends. 

“So, there we have it - the government level of fearmongering writ large - people who light fires are a public danger.

“I find this absolutely disgraceful, but it is typical of this Government who are brilliant at diktats but appalling at actually delivering anything meaningful for the people of Ireland. This is just the latest in a string of efforts by this hapless Government to frighten ordinary people into submission.

“I find this appalling at any time, but when people are fighting the ever-rising cost of living crisis, I think it is both unconscionable and irresponsible.  All over Donegal we have people living below the poverty line and struggling to manage the cost of living. Nationally, over one quarter of people aged 65 and over live alone, and those living alone face the highest poverty risk of all.

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“My advice to anyone sitting at home trying to keep warm is light your fire and don’t be left waiting for the HSE or some NGO to notify you that you might be catching hypothermia.

“Instead of frightening the lives out of people this Government needs to act like a government and focus on spiralling energy costs rather than preachy campaigns telling us not to light fires.”