Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan announced that the smoky coal ban is to be extended to seven new towns from 2013.
According to The Irish Times, the ban has been extended to Greystones, Letterkenny, Mullingar, Navan, Newbridge and Wicklow town from May next year.
Burning the fuel will be banned in addition to the existing ban on marketing, sale and distribution of smoky coal.
The maximum fine for burning, marketing and selling banned fuels will increase to €5000.
