Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland

26/08/2026

🚨 Budget 2027: Stronger Enforcement. Fairer Competition. Cleaner Air.

Solid Fuel Merchants Ireland is calling for the establishment of a Joint Fuel Enforcement Taskforce as part of our Pre-Budget 2027 Submission.

Compliant fuel merchants across Ireland invest in meeting environmental standards, paying the appropriate taxes and supplying regulated products. Yet illegal and non-compliant fuel continues to undermine responsible retailers, public revenues and Ireland’s clean air objectives.

SFMI is calling for a properly resourced, coordinated enforcement approach bringing together Revenue, An Garda Síochána, Local Authorities and relevant State agencies to:

🔸 Target illegal and non-compliant solid fuel
🔸 Strengthen cross-border enforcement and intelligence sharing
🔸 Protect legitimate Irish businesses from unfair competition
🔸 Safeguard Exchequer revenues
🔸 Support Ireland’s air quality objectives

Good regulation must be backed by effective enforcement.

Our Budget 2027 proposals are about ensuring that businesses which follow the rules are not undercut by those who do not.

21/08/2026

Increases planned for September and October stalled as Dáil likely to be recalled next week

20/08/2026

Ireland's energy transition must work for everyone, including the thousands of households across rural Ireland that continue to rely on solid fuel as an essential source of heat.

That's why SFMI is calling for the establishment of a Solid Fuel Decarbonisation Fund as part of Budget 2027.

Our proposal would support compliant merchants in investing in:

✅ Cleaner fuels
✅ Biomass diversification
✅ Covered storage facilities
✅ Modern depot infrastructure
✅ Digital traceability systems
✅ Staff training and business transition

The proposed fund would help retailers continue their transition towards lower-emission fuels while protecting jobs and maintaining essential services in rural communities.

94% of surveyed merchants said they would definitely or possibly invest further in cleaner fuels if Government grant support was available.

Read our full Budget 2027 Submission on our website - link in comments.

18/08/2026

"We are seeking practical, evidence-based measures that protect consumers, support compliant businesses, strengthen air-quality enforcement and recognise the realities facing rural Ireland."

07/07/2026

📢 The public consultation on the next Climate Action Plan is now open.

We want to hear your views on how Ireland can accelerate climate action and deliver emissions reductions across key sectors. 🍃

🗓️ Deadline: 17 August 2026, 5.30pm

🔗 Share your views here: https://bit.ly/4vcVO2c

26/06/2026

Responsible fuel merchants have invested heavily in compliance, cleaner fuels and environmental standards.

The Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025 is an important step towards:

✔ Tackling rogue operators
✔ Improving oversight
✔ Protecting compliant retailers
✔ Supporting fair competition

Legitimate businesses should not be penalised for following the rules.

09/06/2026

A productive day in Leinster House engaging with Oireachtas members on the key issues affecting Ireland's solid fuel sector and the communities we serve.

Discussions focused on tackling illegal fuel trading, strengthening enforcement against non-compliant fuels, supporting a fair and practical transition to cleaner energy, addressing fuel poverty, and ensuring rural households are not left behind as Ireland progresses towards its climate objectives.

We also highlighted the importance of supporting merchants who are investing in cleaner fuel alternatives, biomass products and low-carbon innovation while protecting compliant businesses from unfair competition.

Thank you to the deputies and their staff who took the time to meet and engage constructively on these important issues. We look forward to continuing the conversation in the months ahead.

25/05/2026

Own-account operators are eligible to apply under the new Road Transporters Support Scheme. This is an important recognition of the essential role fuel merchants and delivery operators play in supporting homes, businesses and rural communities across Ireland.

We encourage eligible members to review the scheme details and assess how the support may assist their operations over the coming months.

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18/05/2026

The Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill 2025, when passed, will introduce stronger enforcement powers against illegal fuel sellers.

✔ Stronger inspections
✔ On-the-spot fines
✔ Greater accountability
✔ Fairer competition for compliant retailers

For too long, legitimate businesses have been undercut by illegal operators. Stronger enforcement helps protect compliant merchants and consumers alike.


Darragh O'Brien TD

21/04/2026

Pleased to see recognition at Second Stage of the Air Pollution (Amendment) Bill in the Dáil late last week of the real pressure facing compliant solid fuel retailers.

Legitimate, law-abiding businesses are being undercut by illegal operators — an issue our members are dealing with daily across the country.

We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with Ministers, TDs, Senators and officials to ensure fair enforcement and a level playing field for all through the swift passage of this bill.